French Mirage 2000 fighters deploy in Tajikistan for Afghan operations
Dated 11/5/2006
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Dushanbe: Three French Mirage-2000 jetfighters will soon deploy in the Central Asian republic of Tajikistan in support of coalition anti-terrorist operations in neighbouring Afghanistan, diplomats said Thursday.
According to the French Embassy, the aircraft are due to arrive in the capital Dushanbe on May 19 and the number of military personnel will more than double to 350.
The Mirage jets replace six that were withdrawn in November 2005.
France is the only country apart from Russia to have forces in the former Soviet republic and has maintained a presence at the invitation of the Tajik government since December 2001.
The US and other coalition members support Afghan operations from a base in neighbouring Kyrgyzstan.
