Global General

France to begin gradual Afghan withdrawal

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-06-23 16:38

PARIS - President Nicolas Sarkozy's office on Thursday announced a progressive withdrawal of France's troops from Afghanistan, hours after the United States laid out a drawdown.

Related readings: Obama: 33,000 troops leaving Afghanistan by 2012  Obama has made decision on Afghanistan drawdown  Afghanistan most dangerous country for women  Taliban's key commander killed in W Afghanistan

France would also begin a "progressive withdrawal" in a manner proportional and following a timetable comparable to the withdrawal of the American reinforcements, the French president's office said in a statement.

US President Barack Obama on Wednesday night laid out his plans for Afghanistan troops drawdown that is set to begin next Month, ordering 10,000 troops from that country by year-end with a total of 33,000 troops to be out by next summer.