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On 3 April 2008, during the NATO summit in Bucharest, the French President had announced the government’s decision to send 700 more troops to Afghanistan as part of the French contribution to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

Mr Sarkozy declared that the goal was to promote "security in Afghanistan and speed up the process of Afghanisation (of the military forces combating the Taliban) and reconstruction of the country."

The ten soldiers killed on 18 August belonged to the Eighth Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment, the Second Foreign Parachute Regiment and the Chad Marching Regiment.

A toll-free number (0800 74 75 75) has been set up for the families of troops currently in Afghanistan.

The government has already deployed significant resources - airborne in particular - with allied backing to "support and relieve our men who are caught up in an extremely violent ambush."

In a press release, the French President paid tribute to the victims, saying he was deeply moved and felt "great respect for the courage of these men who had laid down their lives at the call of duty." Mr Sarkozy will be leaving for Afghanistan this very evening "to assure (our troops) of the nation’s wholehearted support."

He went on to declare that his resolve was unshaken: "France will remain steadfast in the fight against terrorism in the name of democracy and freedom. [...] On behalf of all French citizens, I would like to reaffirm the nation’s trust in the ability of its armed forces to carry out their mission."

François Fillon paid tribute to "the bravery of our soldiers engaged alongside our allies in the struggle for peace in Afghanistan, for our own security depends to a large extent on this peace." On behalf of the French government, he offered his condolences to the victims’ families.