(CNN) -- This year "will mark a turning point" in Afghanistan and other regions, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Tuesday. In Afghanistan, "our troops have been able to obviously reduce the levels of violence there. We've seen the lowest levels of violence there in almost five years there now. They are successful in securing some of the key areas in Afghanistan," Panetta told reporters during a flight on his overseas trip. He's visiting Djibouti, Iraq, Turkey and Libya as well as Afghanistan, where war still rages. He arrived Tuesday in Kabul and is meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai; Ryan Crocker, U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan; and Gen. John Allen, commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force.
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NEW: Defense Secretary Leon Panetta meeting with officials in Afghanistan
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Panetta also will pass along holiday wishes to the troops
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Turkey is a key ally in Mideast, Panetta says
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Libya represents what the Arab Spring is all about, he says
"Obviously, there is greater success in the @placeholder military and police.
Panetta said Turkey is now a key ally, both in the Middle East and within @placeholder.