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UN Messenger of Peace Muhammad Ali visits Kabul to lend support to struggling nation

Messenger of Peace, Muhammad Ali arriving at the Kabul Airport Sunday morning. Read more about Muhammad Ali

Kabul, 17 November 2002 - Muhammad Ali, UN Messenger for Peace, was greeted this morning at Kabul airport at the beginning of a three-day visit to Afghanistan organized by the UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP).

Mr. Ali hopes that his visit will help to refocus international attention on the reconstruction needs of Afghanistan. During his stay in Kabul he will visit a local co-ed school supported by UNICEF, and a WFP women's bakery project. He will also meet with representatives of the international donor community, to request their continuing and timely financial support to the reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan.

After his welcome at the airport by UN and Govenment officials, Mr. Ali spent the afternoon resting before attending an informal Iftar, or break of fast, as the guest of His Excellency Mr. Hamid Karzai, President of the Transitional Islamic Government of Afghanistan at the Presidential Palace in Kabul.

Mr. Karzai warmly welcomed Mr. Ali and his party officially to Afghanistan, saying "You are a great hero to many people, a lot of Afghans know you, and in my generation, everyone." The two men exchanged pleasantries and talked briefly about the general situation in the country.

Read about Monday, 18 November