Obama, Karzai talk on Afghan situation

WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama on Thursday held a videoconference with President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan, discussing security issues in Afghanistan, according to the White House.

White House Spokesman Jay Carney said Karzai updated Obama on the security situation in Afghanistan, which has "calmed" since the protests in the aftermath of the Koran burning incident of recent weeks.

Carney said the two presidents also discussed a range of issues of mutual interest, including US-Afghan Strategic Partnership negotiations, Afghan-led reconciliation, which he said was " essential to the ultimate resolution of the conflict in Afghanistan."

"The leaders noted progress toward concluding a Strategic Partnership that reinforces Afghan sovereignty while addressing the practical requirements of transition," said Carney.

"The fact is that there has been some progress towards the Strategic Partnership Agreement that's been under discussion," said Carney, noting the two presidents also discussed regional matters.

"It was a wide-ranging conversation that covered many topics," he said.