French Defence Minister Alain Richard has arrived in Jibuti to discuss with government leaders planned cuts of over 20 percent in the number of French troops based there.
"Jibuti is in fact one of our main defence partners because it is the place where France will keep its main overseas military presence," Richard told Radio France Internationale in an interview.
"We are modernizing our bases in Africa, including Jibuti.
I am going to meet the government and the president of Jibuti and examine with them the modalities that will accompany this moderate reduction of troops from 3,300 to 2,600 men," he said.
"It is time to review the main elements of this cooperation, to see what we can improve in order to assist our Jibutian partners in their development efforts." Richard will go on to to Ethiopia on Monday.
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