France says 2,000 troops will stay in CARMay 8, 2014 - 13:59 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - France's defense minister said some 2,000 French troops will stay in Central African Republic at least until autumn, in part to keep terrorist network Boko Haram at bay, the Associated Press reports. The Islamic extremist group has claimed responsibility for kidnapping nearly 300 girls and young women in Nigeria in recent weeks, and for attacks around the region. France is providing military help to Nigeria to try to rescue the girls. French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Thursday, May 8, the French troops will stay in Central African Republic because of the need to "to not let a security vacuum emerge that Boko Haram could profit from." He also said a French officer was killed by a homemade bomb overnight in northern Mali, where France is wrapping up a military operation to root out terrorists. Related links: Related issues: 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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |