French left preps NATO allies for fast Afghan exit

By Brian Love and John Irish

PARIS | Wed Apr 11, 2012 11:16am EDT

(Reuters) - France's Socialists will pull all combat troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2012, a year ahead of an accelerated withdrawal planned by the government, and has already discussed this with Britain and the United States, their chief defense adviser says.

In an interview, Jean-Yves Le Drian, chief defense aide to Socialist presidential frontrunner Francois Hollande, also told Reuters France would press for a review of long-standing demands for a bigger say in the U.S.-led NATO alliance's integrated military command structure.

Le Drian, tipped as probable defense minister in a left-wing government, said Hollande believed French combat troops had no business in Afghanistan now and a pullout should be executed within eight months if he wins an election where the final runoff takes place on May 6.

"NATO has announced a withdrawal date of 2014. We believe it's time to leave now," said Le Drian, who visited Washington and London in the past few weeks to discuss the message with France's main NATO partners as election day looms.

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