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Obama opens foreign tour in Kabul Obama opens foreign tour in Kabul
(30 minutes later)
US Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama has arrived in Afghanistan, at the start of a high-profile international tour.US Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama has arrived in Afghanistan, at the start of a high-profile international tour.
Mr Obama, who flew to Kabul as part of a US congressional team, is expected to meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai.Mr Obama, who flew to Kabul as part of a US congressional team, is expected to meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai.
He is later expected to visit Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and Britain.He is later expected to visit Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and Britain.
Correspondents say Mr Obama is hoping to address security issues, seen as the weakest aspect of his presidential bid.Correspondents say Mr Obama is hoping to address security issues, seen as the weakest aspect of his presidential bid.
Opinion polls suggest Americans regard Republican John McCain as a better potential commander-in-chief.Opinion polls suggest Americans regard Republican John McCain as a better potential commander-in-chief.
After landing in Kabul, Mr Obama flew by helicopter to the east of the country where he was to visit troops, a US military spokesman said.
I'm more interested in listening than doing a lot of talking Barack Obama Pitfalls for Obama on world tourObama foreign policy speechI'm more interested in listening than doing a lot of talking Barack Obama Pitfalls for Obama on world tourObama foreign policy speech
In a speech earlier this week, Mr Obama said the US military should focus on Afghanistan rather than Iraq. The area has seen an upsurge in fighting with pro-Taleban rebels in recent months, notably along the border with Pakistan.
There has been an upsurge in fighting in recent months between Taleban rebels and international and Afghan forces. Last Sunday, nine US soldiers were killed after a Taleban attack on a remote military outpost in the area.
In a speech earlier this week, Mr Obama promised to commit at least two more combat brigades - up to 10,000 men - to Afghanistan, if he wins November's election.
He also said the US military should focus on that country rather than Iraq.
'One president at a time'
Asked what message he would convey to Afghan and Iraqi leaders, Mr Obama said: "I'm more interested in listening than doing a lot of talking."Asked what message he would convey to Afghan and Iraqi leaders, Mr Obama said: "I'm more interested in listening than doing a lot of talking."
TRUSTED ON MIDDLE EAST Americans with more trust in one candidate than the other to handle the situation involving - Iraq: McCain 47%, Obama 45% Iran: McCain 46%, Obama 44% Israel and the Palestinians: McCain 44%, Obama 42% Source: Washington Post/ABC News, 10-13 July
Speaking to reporters before leaving, he added: "I'm going over there as a US senator. We have one president at a time, so it's the president's job to deliver those messages."Speaking to reporters before leaving, he added: "I'm going over there as a US senator. We have one president at a time, so it's the president's job to deliver those messages."
Media event
Mr Obama also said he would talk to commanders both in Afghanistan and Iraq to find out about their concerns.Mr Obama also said he would talk to commanders both in Afghanistan and Iraq to find out about their concerns.
TRUSTED ON MIDDLE EAST Americans with more trust in one candidate than the other to handle the situation involving - Iraq: McCain 47%, Obama 45%Iran: McCain 46%, Obama 44%Israel and the Palestinians: McCain 44%, Obama 42% Source: Washington Post/ABC News, 10-13 July This BBC's Martin Patience in Kabul says the visit is widely seen as an attempt by the Democratic hopeful to strengthen his security credentials.
Mr Obama will be accompanied by news anchors from America's major television networks during his foreign tour. He will be accompanied by news anchors from America's major television networks during his foreign tour.
Correspondents say the McCain campaign will seize on every perceived misstep during Mr Obama's trip, and will also point out that Mr McCain's earlier visits to Iraq and elsewhere attracted far less public attention.Correspondents say the McCain campaign will seize on every perceived misstep during Mr Obama's trip, and will also point out that Mr McCain's earlier visits to Iraq and elsewhere attracted far less public attention.
In his own foreign policy speech, the Republican candidate said Mr Obama's strategy of winning in Afghanistan by pulling out of Iraq "has it exactly backwards".In his own foreign policy speech, the Republican candidate said Mr Obama's strategy of winning in Afghanistan by pulling out of Iraq "has it exactly backwards".
"It is precisely the success of the surge in Iraq that shows us the way to succeed in Afghanistan," he said on Tuesday."It is precisely the success of the surge in Iraq that shows us the way to succeed in Afghanistan," he said on Tuesday.