French President Nicloas Sarkozy (R) talks with his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai prior to their meeting at the Presidential palace in Kabul on August 20, 2008. French President Nicolas Sarkozy on 20 August pledged France’s commitment to its mission in Afghanistan as he visited French troops mourning ten comrades killed in battle. Sarkozy flew into the capital Kabul early on August 20 with Defence Minister Herve Morin and Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner in the wake of the deadliest battle for international forces since the Taliban was ousted in 2001. AFP PHOTO/SHAH Marai