France Halts Military Operations in Afghanistan

Four soldiers were killed by a man in an Afghan National Army uniform.

The future of France's involvement in Afghanistan is in doubt after a deadly attack on French soldiers led President Nicolas Sarkozy to put a hold on his country's mission. Four French soldiers were killed in the eastern province of Kapisa today by a man dressed in an Afghan National Army uniform, although it is unclear if he was a member of the military. Sarkozy said he has suspended involvement of France's 3,600-troop contingent in Afghanistan for the time being. A similar attack against French troops occurred earlier this month. Sarkozy said that if the security of his soldiers cannot be guaranteed, he might consider an early withdrawal of the forces. France has the fourth-largest presence in Afghanistan, behind NATO partners the U.S., U.K., and Germany.