US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice on Wednesday reassured Washington's firm support to Afghanistan's administration.

"I want to assure the President again the Afghan people have a long-term partner in the United States. And you, and Mr. President can account on our continuing friendship and our long-term partnership," Rice told journalists at a joint press conference with President Karzai here.

She moreover stated that her government was looking forward to help Afghan administration rebuild the post-war nation.

"We look forward to work with you Mr. President to rebuild this country and to rebuild its economy," the US top diplomat said.

She categorically stressed that the United State will not leave Afghanistan alone while referring to its attitude in the past after the Soviet withdrawal form Afghanistan.

"We are not going to leave. It was a mistake for us. It will be a mistake for Afghan people," she emphasized.

Replying a query, she said that the US troops would stay in Afghanistan until the Afghans need it.

Rice's visit to Afghanistan is taking place amid increasing militancy as the Taliban-linked militia hours ahead of her visit fired two rockets in the Afghan capital, injuring at least two guards of the Canadian embassy, while five more aid workers were shot dead in southern Kandahar province this morning.

Afghan President, besides thanking US contribution in war on Taliban and rebuilding activities, said partnership between US and Afghanistan is a strategic partnership and the Afghans want to benefit form it.

Rice, who arrived from Kyrgyzstan, is going to pay a short visit to Islamabad as a sing of sympathy with the tremor-hit Pakistan from where she would go to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.

Source: Xinhua