Obama tells Karzai Afghan security will be priority

KABUL, Nov 23 (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Barack Obama told Afghan President Hamid Karzai he would make it a priority to fight terrorism and bring security to Afghanistan and the region, the Afghan presidential palace said on Sunday.

Obama has pledged a new focus on Afghanistan when he becomes president in January, but while still a candidate he criticised Karzai for failing to tackle corruption, the booming drugs trade and for "not getting out of the bunker" to govern effectively.

Western leaders have grown increasingly impatient with Karzai who has ruled Afghanistan since 2002, saying his failure to crack down on rampant corruption and the drugs trade and to govern effectively is fueling the Taliban insurgency.

Obama tells Karzai Afghan security will be priority Reuters
Obama tells Karzai Afghan security will be priority ...
Obama Speaks With Karzai