Karzai to visit twin towers site

Afghan president Hamid Karzai was today travelling to the United States, where he will meet president George Bush and participate in ceremonies commemorating the September 11 terror attacks.

Spokesman Sayed Fazel Akbar said Karzai would address the UN General Assembly during the five-day visit to New York.

“The purpose of the trip is to express his condolences to the American people. He will visit the World Trade Centre site,” Akbar said.

Foreign minister Abdullah is due to join Karzai in New York on Monday.

The trip comes just days after Karzai survived an assassination attempt in the southern city of Kandahar. His bodyguards killed the gunman.

US troops took over security for Karzai after the July 6 assassination of Afghan vice president Abdul Qadir.

The visit is his first to the United States since he came to power at the head of an interim government in June.