US President Barack Obama paid a surprise visit to Afghanistan to meet troops.
Obama flew to Kabul under cover of darkness. It was Obama's second visit since becoming president, with his aides announcing nothing of his trip due to security concerns. Obama was scheduled to spend three hours at Bagram Air Base, the headquarters of the 101st Airborne Division.
Obama was met by General David Petraeus, commander of US troops in Afghanistan, and US ambassador Karl Eikenberry, and met wounded soldiers at the base hospital. Due to inclement weather including winds of more than 70 kilometers an hour, officials said Obama curtailed an original trip.
