President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani met with a delegation of the U.S. Department of Defense led by the Defense Secretary James Mattis and the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford.

AVA- The Office of the President, ARG Palace, in a statement said the meeting was organized at around noon time in Gul Khana Palace where the two sides discussed various topics of bilateral interest including peace and stability, positive impacts of the U.S. strategy for South Asia and Afghanistan, reforms in security and defense sectors, upcoming presidential, parliamentary, and district council elections, fight against terrorism, and peace talks with Pakistan.
The statement further added that the U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis expressed satisfaction regarding his visit to Afghanistan and hailed the National Unity Government for its efforts in the areas of reforms, fight against terrorism, and countering-corruption, besides hailing the Afghan forces for their bravery in the fight against terrorism.
Mattis quoted in the statement by ARG Palace said the U.S. government and nation will stand by Afghanistan and the Afghan people for ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The Chief Executive of the Unity Government Abdullah Abdullah spoke during the meeting and hailed the United States for its support in various sectors in Afghanistan, ARG Palace said.
In his turn, President Ghani also hailed the U.S. support in various sectors in Afghanistan, particularly in funding and equipping the Afghan forces.
President Ghani further added that the Afghan people demand lasting peace and stability and thanks the United States for its support in this regard, ARG Palace added in its statement.