Canada’s Harper Makes Afghanistan Stop to Mark End of Mission

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper made a surprise stop in Afghanistan to mark the end of the country’s decade-long military mission in the country, and pay tribute to fallen soldiers.

Harper made his fourth trip to the Asian country less than a month after his third consecutive election victory, visiting troops and laying a wreath at a memorial to commemorate Canadians who died during the conflict. Harper ended his 11-hour visit with a speech at the Kandahar military base where he noted Canada’s combat mission in Afghanistan, to end in July, has gone as long as Canadian fighting in both World Wars combined.