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French troops killed by Taliban | French troops killed by Taliban |
(40 minutes later) | |
France says four of its soldiers have been killed and five others wounded in an attack in eastern Afghanistan. | France says four of its soldiers have been killed and five others wounded in an attack in eastern Afghanistan. |
The Taliban said one of their suicide bombers carried out the attack on a Nato convoy in Kapisa province. Several Afghan civilians were also wounded. | The Taliban said one of their suicide bombers carried out the attack on a Nato convoy in Kapisa province. Several Afghan civilians were also wounded. |
President Francois Hollande said he "shared the grief of the families". | President Francois Hollande said he "shared the grief of the families". |
After his election last month, he announced French combat troops would leave Afghanistan by the end of 2012, two years before the main Nato pullout. | After his election last month, he announced French combat troops would leave Afghanistan by the end of 2012, two years before the main Nato pullout. |
Violence has risen across the country in recent weeks, with the Taliban targeting both the Afghan forces and the 130,000 foreign troops remaining in the country. | Violence has risen across the country in recent weeks, with the Taliban targeting both the Afghan forces and the 130,000 foreign troops remaining in the country. |
Afghan officials say the suicide bomber in Saturday's attack approached a French Nato convoy wearing a burka. | Afghan officials say the suicide bomber in Saturday's attack approached a French Nato convoy wearing a burka. |
"All of France is affected by this tragedy," President Hollande's statement said. | "All of France is affected by this tragedy," President Hollande's statement said. |
France is currently the fifth largest contributor to Nato's Isaf force, with nearly 3,300 soldiers. | France is currently the fifth largest contributor to Nato's Isaf force, with nearly 3,300 soldiers. |
The deaths bring to 87 the total number of French deaths in the country since 2001. | The deaths bring to 87 the total number of French deaths in the country since 2001. |
In January the killing of four French soldiers in Kapisa prompted then-President Nicolas Sarkozy to announce a withdrawal by the end of 2013. | In January the killing of four French soldiers in Kapisa prompted then-President Nicolas Sarkozy to announce a withdrawal by the end of 2013. |
Mr Hollande brought it forward by a further year, fulfilling an election pledge. In his statement on Saturday, he confirmed that the pullout would start in early July. |