Aust'n PM praises effort of troops in Afghanistan

Australia's prime minister has praised the efforts of his specialist personnel in Afghanistan, promising a further 20 highly-trained troops to help with the training and rebuilding effort.

Malcolm Turnbull, on his way to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C, wrapped up his whirlwind visit of Afghanistan overnight, where he met with and thanked the 250 Australian Defence Force personnel stationed in the war-torn country.

The prime minister also received confidential briefings about a NATO-led mission called Resolute Support, which is expected to restore order and offer world-class training to the Afghan army.

Turnbull told Australian troops they were "making a real difference" in the efforts to help Afghanistan re-stabilize after years of uncertainty.

"You are making a real difference to the evolution of Afghanistan to a point where it can stand on its own two feet and maintain its own security," Turnbull told troops overnight.

"We say that Afghanistan is a long way from Australia... but everything is very close and very connected."

The news came after Turnbull held talks with Afghan President, Dr Ashraf Ghani, promising a further 20 personnel to assist in training Afghan forces.

That will bring the number of Australian troops in the country up to 270.

Later this week, Turnbull will meet with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington, to discuss the war against Islamic State (IS) as well as the U.S. Marine rotation through northern Australia. Endit