Afghanistan's Ghani Stresses 'Common Interests' with U.S.

Afghanistan and the United States have common interests at stake in the fight against extremism, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said in comments broadcast Sunday.

"While tragedy brought us together, there are common interests that now can be articulated very clearly," Ghani told CNN's "Fareed Zakaria GPS."

"The threats that we are facing on a daily basis, were they, God forbid, to overwhelm us, will threaten the world at large."

Ghani is due to meet with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Ash Carter at Camp David outside Washington on Monday.

The Afghan president paid tribute to the thousands of American troops who have been killed or injured in his country.

"The result is that America has been secure, thank God. There's been no terrorist attack on mainland United States. We have been the front line," he said.

Ghani avoided a question about how many U.S. troops he would like to see remain in Afghanistan.

"What I am gratified to share is that during the last six months, the Afghan national security forces have really shown their mettle. Now we are not in a defensive position. We have taken offensive," he said.

The United States is scrapping a plan to reduce the U.S. force in Afghanistan to 5,500 by December, after American commanders appealed to keep more troops on the ground.

"The primary duty of defending Afghanistan, securing its future, is that of the Afghan people, the Afghan soldiers, policemen, and that of the Afghan government," Ghani said.