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David Cameron is the first world leader to meet the new Afghan president
UK Prime Minister David Cameron has promised new Afghan President Ashraf Ghani that Britain will always be a "strong partner and good friend".
Mr Cameron, on an unannounced visit to Kabul, said British armed forces had paid a "very high price" for their involvement in Afghanistan.
Mr Ghani also thanked the families of those who had lost their lives there.
British forces have gone "a long way" towards achieving their objectives in the country, Mr Cameron added.
End Quote Prime Minister David CameronTogether we have made Afghanistan safer, we have made Britain safer"
Earlier Mr Cameron visited RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus from where RAF Tornados are launching air strikes against Islamic State militants in Iraq.
Mr Cameron is the first world leader to meet Afghanistan's new government.
BBC deputy political editor James Landale said Mr Cameron, who will also be holding talks with new Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah - effectively Afghanistan's prime minister - wanted to "get in early" with the new leadership.
Mr Ghani took office four days ago after coming to a power-sharing agreement with presidential rival Mr Abdullah.
'Better future'Holding a joint press conference with Mr Ghani, Mr Cameron said: "We all share a common goal - which is a more secure, stable and prosperous Afghanistan."
He spoke of the progress made in Afghanistan in recent years, adding: "The people of Afghanistan deserve an effective and legitimate government that will build a better future for them and their families."
Britain would always be a "strong partner and good friend" to the country, he promised Mr Ghani.
Mr Cameron said: "Together we have made Afghanistan safer, we have made Britain safer.
"Of course the new government of national unity faces many challenges ahead but President Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah have already shown the leadership that will be necessary to build a better Afghanistan."
There is no prospect of the UK going back to fight in Afghanistan because there is now an effective army and police force in place, a process that had been "hard, patient work", he added.
Mr Ghani said British troops had stood "shoulder to shoulder" with Afghanistan, also thanking those injured while serving in the country.
"Your presence has meant London has been safe, as well as the rest of the world," he said. "We face joint threats."
He said the political unity that had been forged with the new government was "essential to solve the problems of Afghanistan" and that while the journey ahead would be hard, it would be "worth every sacrifice".
Mr Cameron said the UK would continue to support the Afghan National Officer academy in the capital and would provide £178 million a year, until 2017, to "sustain the major progress" the country had made on public services like health and education.
'Ultimate price'Upon arrival in Afghanistan, Mr Cameron had paid tribute to the 453 UK servicemen and women who have died while serving in the country, as well as those who had been injured.
"They (the armed forces) have paid a very high price for our engagement in Afghanistan," said Mr Cameron. "They have done vital work here.
"We should remember those who paid the ultimate price and those who were injured through the work they did."
He said Afghanistan had been transformed since international military involvement began following the 9/11 attacks, which he described as a "very real achievement."
He said British involvement was primarily motivated by UK domestic security, adding: "That required an Afghan army and police capable of taking care of their own security and denying al-Qaeda a safe haven."
Mr Cameron stressed that the fight against Islamic extremism continued with the rise of IS.
"We are fighting a generational struggle against Islamist extremist terrorists," he said.
"This is a battle we are going to be engaged in for many, many years."
Aid talksBritish combat troops are due to leave Afghanistan by the end of the year after a 13-year campaign. A small number of soldiers will remain in the country to train Afghan army officers.
The UK is one of the largest financial donors to the Afghan government.
During the visit, Mr Cameron and Mr Ghani are due to discuss a crucial conference to be held in London next month which will consider future aid to Afghanistan.
Mr Cameron had announced the deployment of two more British Tornado planes to join the fight against Islamic State while he was in Cyprus.
They will join the six already based in the country. The planes have carried out air strikes on four of their missions so far, hitting eight targets at five locations.
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