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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| French president in Afghanistan | French president in Afghanistan |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| French President Nicolas Sarkozy has touched down in the Afghan capital Kabul on a visit to Afghanistan. | French President Nicolas Sarkozy has touched down in the Afghan capital Kabul on a visit to Afghanistan. |
| He is to meet some of the 1,300 French troops based in the country during his first visit since his election in May. | He is to meet some of the 1,300 French troops based in the country during his first visit since his election in May. |
| He is also due to meet President Hamid Karzai and the head of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), Gen Dan McNeill. | He is also due to meet President Hamid Karzai and the head of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf), Gen Dan McNeill. |
| Mr Sarkozy visited Washington last month and pledged France's support for the US in Afghanistan. | Mr Sarkozy visited Washington last month and pledged France's support for the US in Afghanistan. |
| He told the US Congress that French soldiers would stay in Afghanistan "as long as needed" and that failure was "not an option". | |
| Six French combat jets are stationed at Kandahar | |
| However, Washington and other allies have repeatedly urged France to send its forces to the more dangerous southern and eastern areas to help in the fight against a resurgent Taleban. | |
| Most of the French troops are stationed in relatively secure areas around Kabul. | |
| Some are deployed at a base in the southern city of Kandahar, where six French Mirage jets are based. | |
| In addition, "dozens" of French military trainers are due to be posted to the volatile southern province of Uruzgan to work with the Afghan army, the French news agency AFP notes. | |
| Accompanying Mr Sarkozy on the visit are French Defence Minister Herve Morin and Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner. |