Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has begun a U.S. visit by thanking the United States for its support during 14 years of war.
Evoking late President John F. Kennedy in remarks at the Pentagon on March 23, Ghani said: "We do not now ask what the United States can do for us."
"We want to say what Afghanistan will do for itself and for the world," he said. "And that means we are going to put our house in order."
WATCH: In an exclusive interview with Voice of America shortly after his arrival in Washington, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani spoke about his request for a change in U.S. troop levels, the threat from the Islamic State, and what he is doing to set a course to repair relations with the United States.
Ghani and Afghan Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah were welcomed by Defense Secretary Ashton Carter at a Pentagon ceremony.
The NATO combat mission formally ended in December, but the United States has 9,800 troops in Afghanistan and Ghani will discuss with President Barack Obama on March 24 whether many will remain into 2016 instead of cutting back to 5,500 as planned.
Ghani will also meet Secretary of State John Kerry on March 23.
