Russian minister visits Kabul

Rival Pashtun factions have been fighting in eastern Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan - Russia's foreign minister has arrived in Afghanistan marking a thaw in frosty relations that began with the Soviet army invasion of the country.

Igor Ivanov is meeting Afghanistan's interim leader, Hamid Karzai, as well as the defense and interior ministers during a brief stopover.

He is the latest in a line of world figures, from U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell to UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, who have made the trek to Afghanistan since the Taliban were ousted.

Russia was forced to pull out of Afghanistan in 1989 after a 10-year guerilla campaign against the occupation.

Diplomatic ties were cut in 1996 when the Taliban killed former pro-Moscow leader Najibullah in 1996.

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But Russia, which helped arm the Northern Alliance in its battle against the Taliban and joined the U.S.-led alliance against the Taliban and al Qaeda, was one of the first countries to reopen its Kabul embassy after the Taliban fled the city.

Russia's Interfax news agency, quoting diplomatic sources in late January, said Ivanov would be discussing "perspectives for Moscow's role in the reconstruction of Afghanistan" and looking at ways to improve ties.

Ivanov's visit comes as the government attempts to uphold a cease-fire between rival factions in eastern Afghanistan.

Two Pashtun factions were last week fighting for control of Gardez, a key city in eastern Afghanistan.

The guns have been silent since last Thursday and Karzai has sent an envoy to the city to try to broker a last peace deal between the two.