France to withdraw 500 troops from CARDecember 5, 2014 - 15:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - France's defense minister says 500 of the 2,000 troops in Central African Republic will be withdrawn by spring now that security is returning and UN peacekeepers are in place, the Associated Press reports. Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Friday, Dec 5, that security in the former French colony has progressively returned with schools reopened and some 8,000 peacekeepers fanning out. He spoke a year after France began sending troops to stabilize the country after a Muslim rebel coalition overthrew the president and sectarian violence erupted. At least 5,000 people have died. The minister said there would now be a gradual drawdown of French troops. He did not project when all the troops would be gone. Three French soldiers have been killed over the past year. Related links: Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |