France reports death of officer in Afghan support operation

A French Lieutenant from the 17th parachute regiment was shot and killed while in a support operation for the Afghan National Army (ANA) in East Afghanistan , the French authorities announced on Wednesday . The French authorities said the death of that army officer earlier in the day in Afghanistan, brings the number of French fatalities in the conflict since 2001 to 75. For his part, French President Nicolas Sarkozy expressed "great sadness" upon learning of the latest death, which took place in the Kapisa valley area, said a statement from Sarkozy''s office. Sarkozy "once again expressed the determination of France to continue to work within the International Stability and Assistance Force (ISAF)" in Afghanistan and "to re-establish peace and stability in this country and contribute to its development." France has around 4,000 troops deployed in Afghanistan and intends to start pulling out forces next year and withdraw all of its troops in 2014, when security is to be handed over to the ANA. Of the 75 French dead to date, 56 were killed in combat operations.