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Karzai shores up Canadian support Karzai asks Canada to stand firm
(about 11 hours later)
Afghan President Hamid Karzai is visiting Canada, where he is expected to press for continued financial and military aid. Afghan President Hamid Karzai has asked Canadians to stand firm in providing military support to Afghanistan.
The president will also try to quell mounting opposition to Canada's combat mission in Afghanistan, officials say. In a speech to Canada's parliament he addressed public concerns about Canadian deployment during which 36 soldiers have been killed since 2002.
Thirty-six Canadian soldiers and one diplomat have been killed since Canada became involved in Afghanistan in 2002. He said continued Canadian involvement was crucial to prevent terrorism both in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Canada's PM Stephen Harper confirmed his support: "Canada does not leave a country before achieving success."
Canadian and British forces have borne the brunt of foreign troop casualties in recent months.
Helping us into the future is much more valuable than perhaps you can imagine Afghan President Hamid Karzai Deaths shake Canada mission
Four Canadian soldiers were killed in a blast in the south on Monday - one of three suicide bombings in the country.Four Canadian soldiers were killed in a blast in the south on Monday - one of three suicide bombings in the country.
Hundreds of people have been killed this year as violence has risen, mainly in southern and eastern Afghanistan.Hundreds of people have been killed this year as violence has risen, mainly in southern and eastern Afghanistan.
He [Karzai] will try to clarify some points that may have caused confusion in Canada Afghan ambassador Omar Samad href="/1/hi/world/americas/5358072.stm" class="">Deaths shake Canada mission Canadian and British forces have borne the brunt of foreign troop casualties in recent months. Valuable support
"President Karzai is eager to express the wishes and hopes of the Afghan people for a better, more peaceful and more prosperous life," Omar Samad, Afghanistan's ambassador to Ottawa, told the AFP news agency. Mr Karzai received a standing ovation from MPs and senators as he stepped onto the podium to address Canada's parliament.
He said the president wanted to thank his hosts "for helping to stabilise and rebuild our country". "I know my visit comes at a time of sadness for a number of families across Canada who have lost loved ones in my country," he said.
Canada is proud... to support President Karzai's legitimate, democratically elected government Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper But he asked Canadians to maintain their support.
The president arrived in Ottawa a day after addressing the UN General Assembly in New York. "A democratic nation is not built overnight. Afghanistan's democracy will continue to grow, will continue to develop... but only with the patience and with the continued support of Canada and other members of the international community.
He called for the destruction of safe havens and elaborate networks operating in the region to recruit, train, finance, arm and deploy terrorists. "Helping us into the future is much more valuable than perhaps you can imagine."
The BBC's Lee Carter in Toronto says Mr Karzai will not be meeting the leader of the main liberal opposition party, Jack Layton, who has called for Canadian troops to be withdrawn from their combat role in Afghanistan.
Mr Layton said that despite repeated attempts to set up a meeting with the Afghan president, none was scheduled.
Mr Karzai arrived in Ottawa a day after addressing the UN General Assembly in New York.
At the UN he called for the destruction of safe havens and elaborate networks operating in the region to recruit, train, finance, arm and deploy terrorists.
But he said military action alone would not stop terrorism in his country.But he said military action alone would not stop terrorism in his country.
Mr Samad said the president was expected to offer "clarity and vision" concerning the role of the multinational, UN-backed peace-building and reconstruction effort in Afghanistan.
"He will try to clarify some points that may have caused confusion in Canada," the ambassador said.
A recent poll found only 38% of Canadians support their country's military presence in Afghanistan, while 49% want the 2,300 troops hunting Taleban and al-Qaeda militants to withdraw.A recent poll found only 38% of Canadians support their country's military presence in Afghanistan, while 49% want the 2,300 troops hunting Taleban and al-Qaeda militants to withdraw.
President Karzai is expected to meet the families of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan, in addition to meeting Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Afghanistan is the largest recipient of Canadian foreign aid.Afghanistan is the largest recipient of Canadian foreign aid.