Prime Minister Julia Gillard has greeted Australian troops in Afghanistan and met Afghan President Hamid Karzai during a flying visit to the country.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has visited Afghanistan on her way home from the G20 leaders summit in France.
Ms Gillard flew in on Sunday for a meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and to also greet Australian troops based in Tarin Kowt.
Her visit comes just over a week since an Afghan army soldier opened fire during a parade in Kandahar province, killing three Australian soldiers.
The bodies of the three Queenslanders, Lance Corporal Luke Gavin, Captain Bryce Duffy and Corporal Ashley Birt, were brought home to Brisbane on Sunday.
A spokeswoman from Ms Gillard's office said the prime minister had now departed Afghanistan.
Ms Gillard also opened a new embassy in the capital, telling workers Australia was in Afghanistan for the long haul.
"We came to Afghanistan and we have found some tremendous days of sorrow, but we have also made a great friendship," Ms Gillard said.
