Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) — President Barack Obama made an unannounced visit to Afghanistan today, the first anniversary of the U.S. raid that killed Osama bin Laden in neighbouring Pakistan.
On his third trip to Afghanistan since taking office, Obama and President Hamid Karzai signed an agreement outlining cooperation between their countries after the planned withdrawal of U.S.-led international forces in 2014. Obama will make a televised address from Afghanistan at 7:30 p.m. ET.
At the signing ceremony, Obama said neither country asked for the war that began more than a decade earlier, but now they would work in partnership for a peaceful future.
Pledging the friendship of the United States, Obama warned of “difficult days ahead” as the Afghan people take control of their future. Obama also said the United States will achieve its goal of destroying al Qaeda.
Karzai offered his thanks to the American people for helping Afghanistan, and the presidents shook hands after signing the document in the atrium of the King’s Residence, part of the Presidential Palace in Kabul.
Obama then headed to Bagram Air Field to meet with U.S. troops and deliver his televised speech.
