Afghanistan's President Hamid Karzai arrived in Britain for talks with Prime Minister Tony Blair, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw and other British officials, the foreign office said.

Karzai, who is scheduled to meet with Blair on Tuesday, was also due to meet with Defense Secretary John Reid, International Development Secretary Hilary Benn, Queen Elizabeth II and British Muslim leaders, the foreign office said.

The visit was planned well before the July 7 terrorist attacks in London that cost the lives of at least 56 people, a spokesman for Blair said.

The foreign office said Karzai's visit will help seal Britain's "long term commitment to Afghanistan. We have shared interests and work together in several fields, including counter narcotics and counter terrorism.

"The UK is committed to supporting the Afghan people as they work to build on the achievements of the past three years," it said.

"The ultimate aim is to build a secure, stable and democratic Afghanistan which plays a full and constructive role in the international community," it said.

On Wednesday, Karzai is to speak at the Chatham House foreign policy institute in London on "global terrorism and the experience of Afghanistan".

(Chinadaily.com via agencies July 19, 2005)