French soldier found dead in Afghanistan

Source:Xinhua Published: 2013-8-14 19:45:59

A French soldier was found dead earlier this month at the airport of Kabul in Afghanistan, bringing the total fatalities in the restless country to 89 since 2001, according to local media report.

Citing a military source, French daily Le Figaro said an investigation was underway to determine the cause of the serviceman's death which was neither "the result of an attack nor a death during a fighting."

The French soldier was found dead on Aug. 5 but the Defense Ministry declined to announce it in order not to disrupt the inquiry, according to the source.

More than 3,800 French troops have been stationed in Afghanistan within the framework of NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in the war-torn country since 2001.

About 500 French soldiers are still in Afghanistan, mainly at the Kabul airport, after the withdrawal of most of the French troops and military materials in 2012, two years ahead of the alliance's plan.

They remained in the country to support local authorities in civilian fields including health, education, culture, agriculture and also assist Afghan defense and interior ministries in training.


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