Swedish king makes first visit to Afghanistan

Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf has left Afghanistan after paying a secret first visit to troops from his country serving there. Wearing a military uniform and dark beret, the king said he was impressed by the soldiers' dedication in difficult circumstances as he presided over the opening of a new military base.
Sweden has 530 troops in Afghanistan serving under the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force. The king said "I, like the Swedish people, support you in your important assignment," according to a Swedish armed forces statement Saturday. The new facility, Camp Monitor, is located in the far north of Afghanistan, 130 kilometres (80 miles) west of Mazar-e-Sharif where most Swedish soldiers are stationed.