Obama to discuss Afghan war with NATO chief

WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama and NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen will discuss a range of security issues on Friday at the White House, with the Afghan war on their top agenda, the White House said on Tuesday.

"The president looks forward to discussing global and regional security concerns with the secretary general, to include ending the war in Afghanistan while building an enduring partnership with the Afghan government," spokesman Jay Carney said in a statement.

The Obama administration and the Afghan government are still negotiating the scope of US military presence in Afghanistan and other aspects of bilateral ties after 2014 when most American and NATO combat troops are expected to leave following a 12-year bloody and costly war.