Bin Laden threatens to kill French people
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Recent threats by Osama Bin Laden would not affect France's commitment to curbing terrorism or weaken efforts to free its nationals kidnapped a month ago, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday.
"The French authorities are completely mobilized to secure the release of the seven hostages ... These statements by Bin Laden will not affect our assessment of the situation of our hostages and obviously nothing will erode our efforts to secure their release," Foreign Ministry spokesman Bernard Lavero said.
"France will continue fighting against terrorism alongside its partners," he said in an electronic briefing.
In an audio tape broadcasted by Qatari-based TV channel Al Jazeera, Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden threatened to kill French people in revenge for the French government's support for the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan and its new law banning Muslim veils fully covering the face.
Bin Laden added the kidnapping of five French nationals in Niger last month had been prompted by what he said was France's unjust treatment of Muslims.
"The message, whose authenticity can be taken for granted in view of the first audits, confirms the reality of the terrorist threat against which the French authorities have taken a stand and continue to take appropriate measures to ensure territory and nationals' security," Lavero said.
French Defence Minister Herve Morin told RTL radio earlier in the day France could begin withdrawing troops from Afghanistan as early as next year, but denied it was connected to the threat posed by Al-Qaeda.
French troops attached to the NATO force have been deployed in the restless country since 2001 and have so far lost 50 soldiers out of around 3,500 troops there.
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