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Boris Johnson has mentioned safety, counter-extremism and schooling throughout a controversial trip to Afghanistan.
The international secretary held talks with senior ministers in Kabul throughout and met a number of the 650 UK navy personnel primarily based there.
He stated a choice could be made "very soon" on whether or not to improve UK personnel coaching the Afghan military.
He has come beneath fireplace for being overseas on the day the UK Parliament votes on whether or not to again increasing Heathrow.
It means he misses the Commons vote on constructing a new runway, which he has opposed for greater than a decade.
Downing Street stated final week Mr Johnson could be overseas for Monday's vote on increasing the UK's largest airport.
But his actual whereabouts grew to become clear solely a few hours in the past, when the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on Twitter photos of him assembly Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Karzai.
Twitter put up by @mfa_afghanistan
Mr Johnson additionally met the nation's President, Ashraf Ghani, in addition to Gen John Nicholson, the United States officer who leads Nato's coaching and help mission in Afghanistan.
Since withdrawing its final fight troops in 2014, the UK has maintained a important presence within the nation, serving to to practice the Afghan military and police in addition to offering growth help.
The UK has stated continued assist for the Afghan navy and authorities, in addition to rising financial co-operation, is significant to Afghanistan's long-term stability and to cease it turning into a launch pad for terror assaults.
Mr Johnson stated it was a "crucial moment" for the nation and urged all sides to construct on the "considerable impetus" behind a lasting political settlement.
"My visit comes comes just as the UK is considering the request from the United States and Nato to give additional assistance," he stated.
"I used to be vastly impressed by the work carried out by British troops as an a part of this Nato mission.
"I consider there may be nonetheless a lot the UK might contribute to this very important operation.
"The government will be taking a decision very soon."
The United States has about 15,000 servicemen and ladies within the nation supporting the Afghan navy.
The Ministry of Defence has stated it could maintain its troop presence beneath fixed evaluate following a request from US President Donald Trump for different Nato members to make extra of a contribution.
Mr Johnson met a group of Afghan ladies getting entry to sports activities schooling via UK funding, a part of the £750m in growth expenditure earmarked between 2016 and 2020.
He stated the UK had helped pay for 300,000 Afghan ladies to go to faculty and to practice 10,000 lecturers over the previous six years.
The Afghan international ministry stated the talks had centered on peace and reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan and neighbouring Pakistan and the wrestle towards the Taliban and different rebel teams.
"After the usual formalities, Deputy Foreign Minister Karzai appreciated the role and sacrifices of British forces for peace and stability in Afghanistan and thanked for the British co-operation in various political and economic spheres with Afghanistan," it stated.