LOC09:03
06:03 GMT
PARIS, April 9 (KUNA) -- The French government late Thursday announced the
loss of another soldier in Afghanistan, shot in a Taliban ambush while he was
providing support for an Afghan army unit in the Tagab province.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that he had "learned with emotion"
about the loss of the soldier who was from the 2nd Foreign Legion Paratrooper
Unit.
"This soldier paid with his life for the commitment of France to the
service of peace and security for the Afghan people," Sarkozy said in a
statement.
Sarkozy also issued his habitual message of support for the Afghan people
and authorities and he reaffirmed his determination and that of France to
continue to serve with the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF)
in Afghanistan.
The French leader noted that ISAF has a UN mandate to help Afghanistan
return to stability and to help re-establish peace and promote development in
that country.
France has lost more than 40 soldiers since it first deployed troops in
Afghanistan in 2001 and there are about 3,700 French soldiers on the ground
there at this time. (end)
jk.ema
KUNA 090903 Apr 10NNNN