France Boosts Military Presence In Tajikistan

French and German soldiers at the site of a suicide attack in the Afghan capital, Kabul (file photo) (epa)

May 11, 2006 -- France is set to deploy three fighter jets to Tajikistan and double its troop levels there in support of operations by the antiterrorist coalition in Afghanistan.

Reports say the Mirage-2000 jetfighters will arrive next week. French military personnel in Tajikistan will more than double to 350.

The jets replace six that were withdrawn in November 2005.

The United States and other coalition members support Afghan operations from a base in neighboring Kyrgyzstan.

(dpa)