Related: Bush pays surprise visit to Afghanistan

         Bush strongly opposes to Iran's nuclear program   

  KABUL, March 1 (Xinhuanet) -- U.S. President George W. Bush began talks with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai immediately after arriving the Presidential Palace and inspecting the guard of honor on Wednesday.

    Both the leaders after shaking hands entered talks and began exchanging views on matters pertaining mutual interest including the war on terror and the United States continued support to rebuilding Afghanistan.

    The U.S. leader, who paid a surprise brief visit here, arrived at the Afghan Palace amid tight security where helicopters were circling the city.

    Earlier, the President toured Bagram, the headquarters of his 20,000-strong troops 50 km north of Kabul and visited his soldiers fighting Taliban and al-Qaida militants in the war-torn nation.

    A high-ranking delegation including U.S. first lady Laura Bush and Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice is accompanying the president in his tour to Afghanistan.

    It is President Bush's first to the post-Taliban central Asian state from where he would go to India and Pakistan. Enditem