US presidential candidate Obama begins international tour
US presidential candidate Barack Obama arrives in Afghanistan
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Saturday, 19, Jul 2008 08:00
US presidential candidate Barack Obama has arrived in Afghanistan on the first leg of an international tour.
The presumptive Democratic nominee's itinerary also includes visits to Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and Britain. He is visiting the country with a congressional delegation that is seeking to assess the security situation in the country.
Speaking about the purpose of the trip, Mr Obama said: "I'm looking forward to seeing what the situation on the ground is. I want to, obviously, talk to the commanders and get a sense, both in Afghanistan and in Baghdad, of what their biggest concerns are.
"I'm more interested in listening than doing a lot of talking," he added.
Analysts have said the move could be an effort on the part of the Illinois senator to appear more like a head of state and more knowledgeable on foreign policy issues.
Recent polls have showed Mr Obama's rival for the White House, Arizona senator John McCain, being seen as more well versed with international issues and a better war-time leader.
The trip comes after Mr Obama, who would be the US' first president, said the war in Afghanistan should be the focus of US operations rather that Iraq.
He also called for up to 10,000 more troops to be sent to Afghanistan in order to combat al-Qaida and Taliban insurgents operating in the country.