Afghan President Hamid Karzai left Kabul Monday on his way to the United States to meet with President Barack Obama and other officials in Washington to discuss Afghanistan's future after U.S. forces withdraw next year.

The Afghan leader's office said the talks will focus on security, economic and political transition, equipping and strengthening Afghan forces, efforts to negotiate peace with Taliban-led insurgents, and a security agreement with the U.S.

American taxpayers have paid tens of billions of dollars in reconstruction programs in Afghanistan since U.S.-led troops entered the country in late 2001.

Ahead of his trip, Mr. Karzai met in Kabul with a delegation of visiting U.S. senators. His office said the issues discussed during that meeting included the security pact between the two countries and the peace process in Afghanistan.