Karzai to meet with Obama and members of Congress, visit Arlington cemetery

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai will spend most of next week in Washington discussing the way forward with President Barack Obama.

In a conference call with reporters Friday afternoon, Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodes said the visit "comes at an important time as we continue to implement the president's strategy" in Central Asia.

Karzai arrives Monday in Washington, when White House spokesman Robert Gibbs will hold a press conference with Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander of the international security forces in Afghanistan, and Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl Eikenberry.

On Tuesday, Karzai will hold an "intensive series of meetings" and joint remarks to the press at the State Department with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Obama welcomes Karzai to the White House on Wednesday. The two presidents will hold a joint press conference, followed by lunch in the Cabinet room for senior members of the national security team and their Afghan counterparts.

Vice President Joe Biden will host members of the Afghan delegation at his home for a dinner Wednesday evening.

Karzai will visit Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday morning.

Rhodes said Karzai will have the opportunity to visit with members of Congress on his trip, but the exact schedule was still fluid.

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