Afghanistan, Kabul, 22 August / Trend corr. A.Hakimi / France will continue struggling with terrorism in Afghanistan. Within the framework of Kabul visit following the death of ten French peacekeepers during military operations in this country, the French President Nicolas Sarkozy stated before the French servicemen that Paris would continue its participation in combating terrorism.
Nicolas Srakozy stated at the meeting with the French servicemen that their service in Afghanistan was of great importance and vitality to save the world from terror.
"I came here to say to you that the task, which you are implementing, has essential meaning," the French President stated.
On 19 August, ten French servicemen died in the east of Kabul as a result of Taliban forces' attack and 21 peacekeepers were injured.
Media assesses this incident as the heavy loss of French peacekeepers after dispatching the international coalition forces in Afghanistan.
After the visit accompanied by the French Foreign Minister and Defense Minister, Srakozy stated that his country was true of struggle with terrorism and mission of the French forces in this country would continue.
At present 3,000 French servicemen serve in Afghanistan and it is planned to send 700 soldiers more there by the end of August.
With respect to increase of the French peacekeepers' number in Afghanistan, Sarkozy said that he made a final decision to keep French forces in Afghanistan. Although the French people do not treat optimistically the French peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan, head of the state re-insisted on this matter.
During Kabul visit, Sarkozy said: "I am shocked from the death of ten French soldiers, whilst the French peacekeepers' service in Afghanistan is necessary to struggle with terrorism and extremism."
According to France Press news agency, number of killed French servicemen reached to 24 people with the death of ten soldiers in east of Kabul.
On 20 August, Javier Solana, the Senior Commissar of the European Union on foreign policy, made a statement where he called the attack, killing the French servicemen within NATO forces in Afghanistan, as cruel and wild step, France Press reported from Brussels.
The French President Nicolas Sarkozy participated in commemoration service in memory of ten dead servicemen at a small church, organized in the territory of the French camp in Kabul, as well.