Nicolas Sarkozy - France To Withdraw Hundreds Of Troops In Afghanistan

BRUSSELS - France says that hundreds of withdrawing troops from Afghanistan by the end of the year - coinciding with the gradual withdrawal of the U.S.

President Nicolas Sarkozy, speaking at the EU summit in Brussels, said Friday that the withdrawal is justified, because the signs of improved security situation in Afghanistan, and to reduce the threat of terrorism because of the death of Osama bin Laden.

Earlier this week, Barack Obama plans to withdraw U.S. troops. France has the force of the fourth in Afghanistan, with about 4,000 soldiers. The mission was drained budgets and strained public opinion.