French defence minister in Kabul to meet troops

KABUL ahead of New Year celebrations.

During his visit, Longuet would meet Afghan President Hamid Karzai, Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak, a media report said.

He would also meet Gen. John Allen, the commander of the NATO) and French troops on the occasion, the AFP news agency added.

On Dec.29, 2011 a man wearing the Afghan National Army (ANA) uniform shot dead two French soldiers with the NATO-led forces in the Tagab district of central Kapisa province.

After the withdrawal of 400 French soldiers, there are now 3,600 troops of the country fighting against insurgents in Kabul and Kapisa. Since 2001, 78 French soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan.

myn/mud