US declares Afghanistan a major ally

Hillary Clinton, who has arrived in Kabul on an unannounced visit, says Afghanistan is the United States's newest 'major non-NATO ally'.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, arrived in Kabul on Saturday on an unannounced visit to meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai. In an address to diplomats at the US Embassy, she declared Afhanistan the 'newest major non-NATO ally' of the US.

The designation allows for streamlined defence co-operation, including expedited purchasing ability of American equipment and easier export regulations.

Afghanistan's military, which is heavily dependent on American and foreign assistance, already enjoys many of these benefits. The non-NATO ally status guarantees it will continue to do so.

'I am going to be announcing formally with President Karzai in just a little bit that President Obama has officially designated Afghanistan as what's called a major non-NATO ally of the United States,' Clinton said.

Afghanistan becomes the 15th such country the US has declared a major non-NATO ally. Others include Australia, Egypt, Israel and Japan. Afghanistan's neighbour Pakistan was the last nation to gain the status in 2004.

Clinton and Karzai were also expected to discuss civilian ties and stalled Afghan reconciliation efforts.

From Kabul, Clinton is heading to Japan for an international conference on Afghan civilian assistance. Donors are expected to pledge around $US4 billion a year in long-term civilian support.

Clinton arrived in Kabul from Paris, where she attended a 100-nation conference on Syria.