End of mission for the French Pamir Kabul. After 13 years of presence, the last tricolor contingent will leave Afghanistan. 150 soldiers were deployed around the airport in the capital. Turkish troops have officially taken over. General Philippe Lavigne solemnly handed a command flag to his successor, General Mehmet Cahit Bakir. "We remain very committed to successful handover from the airport to the Afghan authorities," said the latter, "we will do our best to accomplish this goal."
The departure of the French coincides with the end of the combat mission ISAF in Afghanistan, as the Taliban insurgency is far from over. All NATO troops, however, will not leave the country. 12,500 soldiers of the Alliance, mostly American, will stay for a new smaller mission. Called "strong support", it is to train and assist the Afghan troops in their fight against the Taliban.
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