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Obama to host Afghan leaders

In addition, President Ashraf Ghani will address the U.S. Congress.

WASHINGTON - Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah are to visit the White House next month, and Ghani has accepted an invitation to speak to a joint meeting of Congress at a time when the Obama administration is weighing whether to slow the pace of U.S. troop withdrawals from the country.

The White House said Friday that Ghani and Abdullah will visit March 24.

It's the leaders' first visit since they formed a unity government after an election to replace former President Hamid Karzai, whose relations with the U.S. grew increasingly strained. Abdullah's post is similar to that of a prime minister.

Ghani, Kerry to meet

White House spokesman Josh Earnest said that during a working lunch the leaders will discuss security, economic development, and reconciliation efforts between the Taliban and the Afghan government. Ghani will also meet with Secretary of State John Kerry at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland.

Ghani will address Congress on March 25. Former President Hamid Karzai appeared before a joint meeting of Congress on June 15, 2004.

"Afghanistan is an important friend and ally to the United States," said House Speaker John A. Boehner, who invited Ghani to speak. "This joint address presents an important opportunity to hear from the newly elected president on how the United States can continue to work together to promote our shared goals and reaffirms our commitment to the Afghan people."

No controversy seen

Ghani's appearance is not expected to spur the controversy Boehner has faced since inviting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to speak to Congress on Tuesday. Boehner invited Netanyahu without consulting with the White House or Democratic leaders in Congress, and some Democrats plan to skip the speech. The Israeli leader argues that Iran is not negotiating with the U.S. and its partners in good faith to reach an agreement to curb its nuclear program and is actively working to develop nuclear weapons.

White House spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said both Boehner's office and the Afghan government consulted with the Obama administration in arranging Ghani's speech.