Secretary of State Rice speaks at a news conference in Kabul June 28, 2006. (Xinhua Photo)

    KABUL, June 28 (Xinhua) -- The visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice on Wednesday reassured President Hamid Karzai of the White House's firm support to the post-Taliban Afghanistan.

    "Mr. President, I want you to know that we consider Afghanistan as a friend of a long term. The commitment of the Untied States is a strong commitment," Rice said at a joint press conference with Karzai.

    She gave this assurance amid increasing militancy in the south and Washington Post's criticism of Karzai as a failed leader. The U.S. Secretary of States besides playing down the Taliban as a threat and described Karzai as an admirable leader.

    "There is great admiration for your president. I want to say the Afghan people that commitment of international community is very strong and will remain so," emphasized Rice, who earlier toured Pakistan and arrived in Kabul Wednesday morning for a short visit.

    She also termed the Taliban-linked militants as a small group, which deems to diminishing.

    "Afghanistan has determined enemies, who are to destroy this country. There are small numbers of that but they will not succeed, because Afghanistan has an elected president, an elected parliament, has a strong coalition partner not only the U.S. but also NATO," she said.

    Rice is visiting Afghanistan amid spiraling insecurity incidents in the south and the ongoing anti-Taliban U.S.-led coalition forces operation, the "Mountain Thrust", which according to officials has claimed the lives of more than 600 militants over the past two months.

    Four American soldiers were killed last Wednesday in the eastern Nooristan province and two British soldiers lost their lives in a gun battle in the southern Helmand province on Tuesday while a day earlier a suicide bomb attack on the U.S. troops in Bagram military base left the attacker dead.

    "The enemy will not succeed in undermining or rolling back the democratic gains of the Afghan people. We are here to boost the democratic gains. I know the Afghan people themselves are committed to boost the democratic gains," Rice pointed out.

    Earlier, she held in-depth discussion with Karzai and exchanged views on matters pertaining mutual interests including bilateral relations with particular reference to cooperation in the war on terrorism. Enditem