Obama Makes Quick Visit To Afghanistan

"President Barack Obama landed in the dark at Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan on Sunday morning after a secret, 13-hour flight from Washington," NPR's Scott Horsley reports. The president, Scott adds, "is scheduled to meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his Cabinet, then spend some time with U.S. troops. He's expected to leave the country before the Afghan sunrise and be back in Washington early Monday."

According to the Associated Press:

"Obama is pressing Afghan leader Hamid Karzai to crack down on corruption in his country while also strengthening the judicial system and promoting good governance. Obama met with Karzai at the presidential palace in Kabul during an unannounced visit to Afghanistan on Sunday. The White House said later than Karzai will come to Washington on May 12 for more talks."

The latest "pool report" from the journalists traveling with Obama says there will be a "press availability" soon with both presidents.

This is Obama's first visit to the central Asian nation since he took office. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs is updating via Twitter. His latest "tweet":

POTUS currently meeting w/ Karzai at Presidential Palace - will be joined by Cabinet shortly - Gen McChrystal and Amb Eikenberry here too

The trip was kept secret until the president was already in Kabul for security purposes.

Update at 1:35 p.m. ET. The "pool" now reports that the two presidents met briefly with reporters. Here's the report, from The Wall Street Journal's Peter Spiegel:

"Karzai opened by welcoming (Obama), noting it was his second visit but only 1st as (president).

"He said he wanted to 'express the gratitude of our people for the help that America has given us for the last eight years.'

"He said they had a 'good discussion,' and thanked U.S. taxpayers for 'the rebuilding and reestablishing the institutions in Afghanistan.'

"(Obama) then thanked Karzai for his hospitality: 'The American people are encouraged by the progress that's been made.'

"He mentioned his flight from Bagram: 'In coming into Kabul, you could see the change in terms of increased electricity production.'

"He said progress has been made militarily, but added; 'we alsoo want to continue to make progress on the civilian process,' mentioning several areas, including governance, anticorruption, and rule of law.

"He invited Karzai to D.C. in May, and Gibbs just informed us it will be May 12.

"Lastly: 'One of the main reasons I'm here is to just say thank you for the incredible efforts of our U.S. troops and our coalition partners. They make tremendous sacrifices far away from home, and I want to make sure they know how pround their commander in chief is of them.' "