(VOVworld) - France will begin its troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in July and complete it by the end of the year, French President Francois Hollande has said. The confirmation of the timetable comes hours after four French soldiers were killed and five others wounded in an attack in Afghanistan’s Kapisa province.  

President Francois Hollande visits French troops in Kapisa province

Withdrawing French troops by the end of 2012 had been one of Mr Hollande's election pledges and he is trying to persuade other NATO countries to follow suit with a visit to Afghanistan in late May. Hollande spoke after the attack: "I’d like to express my gratitude to the sacrifice and bravery of the fallen soldiers. France will pay a national homage to the men and the wounded will be repatriated as soon as possible. From now until the troop’s withdrawal begins, everything must be done for our troops to meet their obligations but with the highest level of security and with the greatest vigilance for the lives of the soldiers. I am making this engagement here and I will be the guarantor for this operation"