Afghanistan celebrates Independence Day

Afghanistan on Monday marked the 94th anniversary of its independence from Britain with a small parade of government officials in the Ministry of Defense. Afghan President Hamid Karzai and other top officials attended the parade to celebrate the signing of a 1919 treaty that granted Afghanistan its freedom from Britain, Khaama Press reported. The presidential palace media office said a number of world leaders, including U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, sent greetings to Karzai and wish peace and stability in Afghanistan. The British Embassy in Kabul issued a statement that greeted the people of Afghanistan and called for further improvement of bilateral relations between Britain and Afghanistan. Most national celebrations in Afghanistan are low-profile after a group of militants attacked a Mujahideen ceremony in 2009.