KABUL, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani separately met with visiting U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper in Kabul on Sunday, said Arg, the country's presidential palace on Monday.

"We (Afghanistan) want U.S. support for Afghanistan and for expanding relations between the two countries in various areas, especially in the security sector," the presidential palace quoted Ghani as saying in a statement.

The two sides also discussed the peace process with the Taliban.

Ghani also met with Esper and discussed a range of topics including the security situation in Afghanistan and the region, the fight against administrative corruption, war on terrorism, and peace with the Taliban in Arg on Sunday night, according to the statement.

Esper emphasized the effectiveness of the United States' support to Afghan security forces, the statement said.

Esper and Pelosi arrived in Kabul on Sunday for unannounced visits to the country.?