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15:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - France's defense minister says 500 of the 2,000 troops in Central African Republic will be withdrawn by spring now that security is returning and UN peacekeepers are in place, the Associated Press reports.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 | 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. |