Laura Bush, Afghanistan envoy

First Lady Laura Bush calls for a "very strong commitment" to Afghanistan's development from the United States and the international community and predicts that whoever succeeds her husband, that commitment will follow.

“I know the United States will stay involved. I know that, no matter who's elected president in November and is inaugurated next January, that the United States will keep its commitment,” she says in an interview to air this evening on Fox News Channel's "Special Report with Brit Hume."

Both Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama are calling for sending thousands more US troops to the country to tackle the resurgent Taliban and to root out al Qaeda elements.

“I think Afghanistan needs a very strong commitment from the international community to help in the ways that we can help them build infrastructure," the first lady said. "...They need roads. They need schools. They need hospitals. They need medical centers. They need all the things that can help them build the infrastructure that will allow them to have an economy that can help grow their people out of -- out of poverty.”

Bush visited Afghanistan last month to urge more international support. She also toured the country in March 2005 and has made the country's development, especially for women, one of her biggest causes. She said she is worried that the progress for women is in jeopardy.

"I met this group of women, parliamentarians, and they're -- and women teachers. And they're afraid…they're afraid they'll be targeted,” Laura Bush said. “But on the other hand, lots and lot of girls are in school. Lots of women are teaching. And they're -- and obviously, there are women members of parliament. There's a woman governor. And they're making strides.”

She pledged to stay involved. "I hope I'll have a chance to stay involved through the presidential library, George's presidential library, and other vehicles,” she said. “I hope I'll have the chance to go back.”