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Four French troops die in Afghanistan shooting Four French troops die in Afghanistan shooting
(40 minutes later)
Four French troops have been killed in northern Afghanistan after a soldier from the Afghan National Army opened fire, local officials say.Four French troops have been killed in northern Afghanistan after a soldier from the Afghan National Army opened fire, local officials say.
Sixteen more members of the French armed forces were injured in the incident in Kapisa province.Sixteen more members of the French armed forces were injured in the incident in Kapisa province.
An official told the BBC that an Afghan non-commissioned officer got into a "verbal clash" and opened fire.An official told the BBC that an Afghan non-commissioned officer got into a "verbal clash" and opened fire.
President Nicolas Sarkozy said France was suspending its training programmes in Afghanistan following the attack.President Nicolas Sarkozy said France was suspending its training programmes in Afghanistan following the attack.
He was sending his defence minister, Gerard Longuet, to the country "immediately," he said.He was sending his defence minister, Gerard Longuet, to the country "immediately," he said.
Mr Sarkozy said that the question of an early French withdrawal from Afghanistan would arise, if security conditions were not re-established.Mr Sarkozy said that the question of an early French withdrawal from Afghanistan would arise, if security conditions were not re-established.
It was "unacceptable" for French troops to be fired on by their allies, he said.It was "unacceptable" for French troops to be fired on by their allies, he said.
Thursday's incident, in the Tagab district, took place at 08:00 local time (03:30GMT), according to French media reports.Thursday's incident, in the Tagab district, took place at 08:00 local time (03:30GMT), according to French media reports.
It brings to 82 the total number of French troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001.It brings to 82 the total number of French troops killed in Afghanistan since 2001.
Le Figaro said the attack could mark "a turning point" in French involvement in the country.Le Figaro said the attack could mark "a turning point" in French involvement in the country.
An Afghan official told the BBC: "This is a tragic incident, a sad and tragic day for us and for Nato." The Afghan soldier was arrested by the French, he said.An Afghan official told the BBC: "This is a tragic incident, a sad and tragic day for us and for Nato." The Afghan soldier was arrested by the French, he said.
Nato confirmed in a statement that four of its troops had been killed, and that a suspect had been apprehended, but gave no further details.Nato confirmed in a statement that four of its troops had been killed, and that a suspect had been apprehended, but gave no further details.
Incidents of Nato soldiers being shot by their Afghan colleagues have increased in recent months. The BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kabul says the issue of rogue soldiers and Taliban infiltrators has plagued Afghanistan's police and army for several years, with an increasing number of incidents involving Afghan soldiers turning their weapons on Nato forces. The Afghan government has failed to come up with a solution or a strategy to prevent such attacks, he says.
Three weeks ago two members of the French Foreign Legion were shot dead by an Afghan National Army soldier, also in Kapisa province.Three weeks ago two members of the French Foreign Legion were shot dead by an Afghan National Army soldier, also in Kapisa province.
Five French soldiers were killed by a suicide bomb while on patrol in the Tagab district of Kapisa in July 2011.Five French soldiers were killed by a suicide bomb while on patrol in the Tagab district of Kapisa in July 2011.
That was the heaviest loss of French life in Afghanistan since 10 soldiers were killed in a Taliban ambush in the Sarobi area, east of Kabul, in August 2008.That was the heaviest loss of French life in Afghanistan since 10 soldiers were killed in a Taliban ambush in the Sarobi area, east of Kabul, in August 2008.
2011 was France's bloodiest year in Afghanistan with the loss of 26 troops. The risks faced by French forces have increased as the areas of the country where they are stationed have become less stable.
'Difficult decision'
French troops have been part of the Nato-led operation in Afghanistan since 2001, and the country currently has 3,600 troops involved in its operations there.French troops have been part of the Nato-led operation in Afghanistan since 2001, and the country currently has 3,600 troops involved in its operations there.
President Sarkozy announced in July that 1,000 troops would be withdrawn from the country by the end of 2012, ahead of full Nato withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014.President Sarkozy announced in July that 1,000 troops would be withdrawn from the country by the end of 2012, ahead of full Nato withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014.
Mr Sarkozy faces re-election this year and the loss of French life in Afghanistan is a highly politically sensitive issue in France.
The BBC's Hugh Schofield in Paris says that while it was not apparent whether the president would decide on a withdrawal, the hint of "a difficult decision in the coming days" was clearly there.
A senior Isaf commander in Kabul told the BBC he was "speechless" at the prospect of a potential French withdrawal. France is one of the few members of Isaf to have more than 1,000 troops in Afghanistan.
In a separate development, a Nato helicopter has crashed in southern Afghanistan killing six troops. The nationalities of those killed has not been disclosed, but they are believed to be American.In a separate development, a Nato helicopter has crashed in southern Afghanistan killing six troops. The nationalities of those killed has not been disclosed, but they are believed to be American.
The Taliban have claimed responsibility for that incident, but a spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan said there was no enemy activity in the area at the time.The Taliban have claimed responsibility for that incident, but a spokesman for the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan said there was no enemy activity in the area at the time.