French soldiers killed in Afghanistan Published duration 23 August 2010

Two French soldiers were killed and three more have been wounded in fighting in Afghanistan, President Nicolas Sarkozy's office has said.

The deaths bring the total number of French soldiers killed in Afghanistan since 2001 to 47.

The dead personnel were an officer and soldier from the 21st Marine Regiment based in Frejus, southern France.

They were fatally shot during a night operation near Tagab, 55km (34 miles) north-east of Kabul.

"These soldiers gave their lives in the service of France's commitment to the peace and security of the Afghan people," Mr Sarkozy said in a statement on Monday.