France ended its combat mission in Afghanistan

France has ended its combat mission in Afghanistan, withdrawing troops from a strategic province northeast of Kabul as part of a speeded-up departure from the war-torn country.

Paris has said all French combat soldiers will leave the country next month, two years before allied nations contributing to the 100,000-strong International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) led by the United States are due to depart.

Taliban insurgents called on other foreign forces to follow France's example.