Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama began his first visit to Afghanistan today as part of an official congressional delegation that landed in Kabul.

The Illinois senator, undertaking a campaign-season tour of combat zones and foreign capitals, and other members of Congress visited Bagram Air Field, the main U.S. military base in the country, to meet with top U.S. military leaders and troops.

The delegation also met with troops at Jalalabad Air Field, in Nangarhar province.

Nangarhar's governor, Gul Agha Sherzai, a former warlord, briefed Obama and other members of the delegation, according to Sherzai's chief of staff.

"Barack Obama expressed support for Afghanistan and especially for Nangarhar province," said Massoud Ahmad Azizi, spokesman for the province. "He said he will support reconstruction, development and security all over the country, especially in Nangarhar. He thanked Sherzai for good leadership and good administration of the province."

In the presidential campaign against Republican rival John McCain, Obama has argued that the war in Afghanistan deserves more attention as well as troops. McCain has criticized Obama for his lack of time in the region, and Obama is also expected to stop in Iraq at some point during his tour.

En route to Afghanistan, Obama stopped yesterday at Camp Arifjan, the main U.S. military base in Kuwait and a major gateway for U.S. soldiers moving into and out of Iraq.

-- From The Associated Press