Germany's Merkel visits Afghanistan

BERLIN (AP) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has made an unannounced visit to northern Afghanistan, where her country's troops serve in the NATO-led security force.

The government in Berlin said that Merkel, her defense minister and the military's chief of staff arrived early Saturday in Kunduz, where Germany has a base. It declined to give further details of the visit.

Germany currently has nearly 4,700 troops serving in the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force. It plans to start withdrawing its troops in late 2011.