German foreign minister on surprise visit to Afghanistan - Summary

Herat, Afghanistan - Surrounded by tight security, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived Friday in Afghanistan for a surprise visit, assuring the country of Germany's continued support. "We stand at your side," Steinmeier said after meeting with Afghan officials. Steinmeier, who was expected to stay several days in the country, arrived Friday morning in the western city of Herat in a German military plane on his third visit to Afghanistan. Germany currently has 3,500 troops stationed in the wartorn country and is under pressure from NATO allies to increase its presence and move soldiers to the more volatile south to help in the fight against Taliban insurgents. Berlin announced plans to increase the number of its troops by 1,000 this autumn. The deployment in Afghanistan is controversial in Germany.... [read full story]