WASHINGTON, March 29 (Xinhuanet) -- US First Lady Laura Bush will leave Tuesday for a half-day visit to Afghanistan to highlight improvements in women's quality of life since the downfall of the Taliban regime, the White House said.

    During her five-hour trip in Afghanistan, Mrs. Bush will meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai, visit the Women's Teacher Training Institute and hold a roundtable discussion with students and teachers.

    She will witness the award of a 17.7 million-US dollar grant to American University in Kabul and 3.5 million dollars to the International School, and will have dinner with US troops before returning to Washington, White House officials said.

    "She wants to be able to see the advances made for women in Afghanistan and to underscore the United States' long-term commitment to the people of Afghanistan," said Susan Whiston, the first lady's press secretary.

    A former teacher and librarian, Laura has wanted to visit Afghanistan for a couple of years but delayed the journey, mostly because of security concerns.

    About 17,000 US troops are in Afghanistan. More than 120 American soldiers have died since American forces invaded to oust the former Taliban government for harboring al Qaeda militants after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. Enditem