Regional Engagement Important

WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama has reaffirmed his commitment to a political solution to bring long-term peace and stability to Afghanistan, the White House said. Obama renewed this commitment during his first video conference with US Ambassador Afghanistan Ryan Crocker and NATO commander General John Allen on Thursday.
"The newly arrived team of US leaders in Kabul underscored the continuing momentum of the coalition campaign, the development of Afghan security forces and support to the Afghan government as they transition to the lead in security," the White House said.

The president expressed his support for the regional engagement agenda laid out by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, to include a productive international meeting at Bonn in December 2011.