KABUL, March 25: US Secretary of State John Kerry made a show of unity with Afghan President Hamid Karzai during a short visit to Afghanistan on Monday, following weeks of heightened tensions between the two countries.

Mr Kerry made the unannounced visit to Afghanistan in order to discuss a host of issues including attempts to stabilise the country before most foreign troops leave by the end of 2014, the transfer of security responsibility to Afghan forces and Afghanistan’s elections, a US official told reporters.

After a private meeting, the two held a news conference at the presidential palace in Kabul. During it Mr Karzai confronted questions about his remarks earlier this month in which he accused the Taliban of undertaking attacks “in service of America”.

Numerous press reports stated he was suggesting the US and the Taliban were colluding, but he rejected that interpretation at the news conference.

“I never used the word ‘collusion’ between the Taliban and the US. Those were not my words. Those were the (words) picked up by the media,” he said.

Mr Kerry also referred to the comments. “I am confident that the president absolutely does not believe that the United States has any interest except to see the Taliban come to the table to make peace.”—Reuters