“This operation will begin in July, it will be put into place and completed by the end of 2012. Until then, everything should be done to make sure that our troops fulfil their obligations, but with the highest level of security and the utmost vigilance for the lives of our soldiers,” he said.
Hollande said France would pay a “national homage” to the men killed in a suicide bombing and that five wounded soldiers would be repatriated rapidly. Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian will head to Afghanistan Sunday.
The president promised to get those wounded repatriated quickly, saying that “a plane has already left and will ensure them back as soon as possible.” “I asked Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, accompanied by Chief of Staff of the Army, to go to Afghanistan tomorrow to show the nation’s support to our forces,” Hollande said.
Some 3,500 French soldiers are deployed in Afghanistan, mainly in Kabul and in Kapisa, the fifth largest contingent in NATO’s 130,000-strong US-led force.
Since January’s attack, France has begun accelerating the withdrawal of its troops, and French soldiers have been given instructions to minimise their exposure.
The four killed on Saturday were the first French soldiers to be lost in Afghanistan since January 20, when an Afghan soldier shot dead four unarmed soldiers and wounded 15 others.
from KHAAMA
By Khushnood Nabizada - Sun Jun 10, 12:05 pm
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