Russian eyes launch of airline in Afghanistan

ISTANBUL (PAN, a presidential spokesman said.

The Russian billionaire also showed interest in reconstruction to assess investment opportunities there, Aimal Faizi told Pajhwok Afghan News.

Karzai briefed Lebedev on investment opportunities in Afghanistan, asking him to discuss his interest with Afghan officials.

Karzai is also expected to meet Lebedev during a visit to London on December 7, Faizi, who is accompanying Karzai on trip to Turkey for a regional conference, said.

The presidential spokesman quoted Lebedev as saying that he would send a team to Afghanistan before Karzai’s London visit.

President Karzai on Monday left for Turkey, where he was warmly welcomed by several Turkish officials as he arrived at the Ataturk International Airport in Istanbul.

Among others, the governor and mayor of the city, protocol director at the Turkish foreign ministry, the Turkish ambassador to Kabul and the Afghan ambassador in Ankara received the president.

President Hamid Karzai is set to take up with his Pakistani counterparts the ongoing reconciliation effort in Afghanistan, cross-border rocket strikes and the assassination of High Peace Council chief, Burhanuddin Rabbani, an official said on Tuesday.

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