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Four French troops die in Afghanistan shooting Four French soldiers die in Afghanistan shooting
(about 1 hour 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 soldiers have been killed in northern Afghanistan after a serviceman 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. 'Murdered'
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.
Mr Longuet said that the French soldiers shot dead were unarmed and were "literally murdered".
He said he did not know if the attack was carried out by a "Taliban who infiltrated" or if it was someone who decided to act for reasons as yet unknown, AFP reports.
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 personnel 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 personnel had been killed, and that a suspect had been apprehended, but gave no further details.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai released a statement conveying "his deepest condolences and sympathy to the French president, families of the victims and to the French people".
The relationship between the two countries was "historic" and "honest," and a source of happiness, he said. President Karzai is due to meet Mr Sarkozy in Paris next week.
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.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. 2011 was France's bloodiest year in Afghanistan with the loss of 26 personnel. The risks faced by French forces have increased as the areas of the country where they are stationed have become less stable.
'Difficult decision''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.Mr Sarkozy faces re-election this year and the loss of French life in Afghanistan is a highly politically sensitive issue in France.
President Sarkozy used very tough language to condemn the attack.
French soldiers, he said, were in Afghanistan to help their allies.
"We cannot accept that a single one of our troops should be killed or wounded by those allies," he said.
The president said that Defence Minister Gerard Longuet will on his return from Afghanistan deliver a report on security conditions there for French troops.
If these are not satisfactory, he said, then the question of an early withdrawal of French troops from Afghanistan will be on the table.
The socialist challenger for the presidency, Francois Hollande - who is ahead of Mr Sarkozy in opinion polls - has reiterated his position that he would withdraw French troops by the end of the year, if elected.
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.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. A senior commander with the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) 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. French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe, who is travelling to Kabul, said that France would await a report from Mr Longuet and army chief of staff Admiral Edouard Guillaud, who is also going to Afghanistan, before making a decision on an early withdrawal.
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. In a separate development, a Nato helicopter has crashed in southern Afghanistan killing six soldiers. The nationalities of those killed has not been disclosed but they are believed to be American.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for that incident, but an Isaf spokesman said there was no enemy activity in the area at the time.