Vice President-elect Joe Biden made a surprise visit to the Taliban's traditional stronghold in southern Afghanistan yesterday and said the new US administration will fully support troops battling the resurgent militants.

President-elect Barack Obama has promised to end the war in Iraq and refocus US military efforts on Afghanistan, where spiraling violence has claimed thousands of lives.

Thousands of new American troops will be joining the battle against the Taliban this year, and Biden's visit is a sign that Obama plans to make the region an immediate priority.