Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has arrived in Kandahar, Afghanistan, for an unannounced visit to Canadian troops stationed there.
Mr. Harper arrived at Kandahar air base Sunday in a Canadian military aircraft. Journalists traveling with him had to agree not to break news of the trip until his visit was underway.
He said the trip is a way to show the Canadian troops their government and their country is behind them. Mr. Harper said Canada's mission in Afghanistan is its most significant international undertaking in decades.
He is expected to spend Monday visiting troops on the base and eating with them in the dining facilities.
Canada has about 2,300 members of its military in Afghanistan. Ten Canadian soldiers and a diplomat have died there since early 2002.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.