U.S. national security advisor visits Afghanistan

The visiting U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice will meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai later Monday, an official said.

"She will meet with Afghan President Hamid Karzai at the presidential palace Monday evening. A statement will be issued after the meeting but they will not hold a press briefing," said the official on condition of anonymity.

They will discuss a range of issues including the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA), the officii noted.

The meeting is taking place one day after Afghanistan's Loya Jirga or grand assembly concluded four-day intense debate on the BSA by adopting the new post-2014 security and defense pact with Washington.

The 2,500-member Jirga also called on President Karzai to sign the BSA by the end of this year, the same demand as the White House. But Karzai said the pact will not be inked until after the presidential elections slated for April 5, 2014.