Repair Mission: Clinton In Afghanistan For Talks With Karzai

Clinton in Afghanistan for talks with Karzai, government officials

Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton meets the Afghan president and other government officials Thursday for talks aimed at boosting reconciliation efforts in the nation.

Clinton will highlight U.S. commitment to a stable and secure Afghanistan in her discussion with President Hamid Karzai, a State Department official said.

"She wants to emphasize that the United States remains committed to reconciliation -- Afghan reconciliation -- that we're here to support President Karzai in his efforts," the official said.

Clinton met with Afghan civil society, including human rights activists who address various issues including education, gender-based violence and youth empowerment.

"These are some of my heroes," she said as she greeted them at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.

Her visit comes as the nation pursues peace with the Taliban after years of insurgency.

The effort suffered a major setback following the killing of Burhanuddin Rabbani, an Afghan political figure and former president who led the peace council.

Rabbani was killed at home last month by suicide bombers posing as Taliban peace mediators.

Read More : Haqqani Network Denies Killing Rabbani, ISI Ties

Clinton offered condolences to Salahuddin Rabbani, the oldest son of the slain leader, who was part of a roundtable Thursday.

"He tried to do the right thing," she said.

The United States supports Karzai and recognizes the blow to the peace effort since the assassination of Rabbani, the official said.

In addition to the reconciliation efforts, Clinton will also discuss Pakistan's relations with the nation and the upcoming Afghan transition.

Coalition forces are in the process of transferring security control to Afghan forces ahead of a U.S. drawdown set to be completed by the end of 2014.

The 33,000 additional American troops sent in last year are scheduled to fully depart the war-torn country by September next year.

Clinton's visit to Afghanistan follows a stop in Libya, the first by a Cabinet-level American official since the ouster of longtime strongman Moammar Gadhafi.

She landed under tight security in Libya, where forces loyal to the transitional government are still battling Gadhafi loyalists.