This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7157109.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Sarkozy warns of Taleban threat | Sarkozy warns of Taleban threat |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| French President Nicolas Sarkozy has warned the international community must not let Afghanistan fall into the hands of extremists like the Taleban. | French President Nicolas Sarkozy has warned the international community must not let Afghanistan fall into the hands of extremists like the Taleban. |
| He was speaking on a one-day visit to Kabul where he met his counterpart, Hamid Karzai, and was due to see some of the 1,300 French troops based there. | He was speaking on a one-day visit to Kabul where he met his counterpart, Hamid Karzai, and was due to see some of the 1,300 French troops based there. |
| Mr Sarkozy recently pledged France's support for the US in Afghanistan. | Mr Sarkozy recently pledged France's support for the US in Afghanistan. |
| His office said the visit to Kabul was a reaffirmation of French support and engagement in Afghanistan's recovery. | His office said the visit to Kabul was a reaffirmation of French support and engagement in Afghanistan's recovery. |
| Accompanied by his defence minister, he began the one-day trip with talks with the head of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force, Gen Dan McNeill. | Accompanied by his defence minister, he began the one-day trip with talks with the head of the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force, Gen Dan McNeill. |
| "Here there is a war against terrorism, against fanaticism, that we cannot and must not lose," Mr Sarkozy told reporters after his talks with Mr Karzai. | "Here there is a war against terrorism, against fanaticism, that we cannot and must not lose," Mr Sarkozy told reporters after his talks with Mr Karzai. |
| "That is why it is important that we help with the emergence of an Afghan state that is legitimate, democratic and modern."Pressure from allies | |
| Mr Sarkozy told the US Congress in November that French soldiers would stay in Afghanistan "as long as needed" and that failure was "not an option". | Mr Sarkozy told the US Congress in November 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 | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Accompanying Mr Sarkozy on the visit are French Defence Minister Herve Morin and Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner. |