Italy’s Prodi Visits Afghan Leader

Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi Sunday became the third world leader to visit Afghanistan’s president, Hamid Karzai, in Kabul in two days.

The Italian embassy told CNN Sunday Prodi planned to discuss the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force and its progress in battling Taliban and al-Qaida insurgents.

It wasn’t divulged if Prodi would visit some 2,000 Italian forces stationed mainly in the western province of Herat.

Saturday, Karzai met with newly elected Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd as well as French President Nicolas Sarkozy, both of whom offered support, the report said.

Rudd reportedly told Karzai Australia was in the coalition for the long haul, while Sarkozy told the president France would provide long-term political and military support.