61.  It was not immediately clear if the gunfire involved French forces fighting soldiers and foreign mercenaries who carried out the coup.

62.  It maintains that the blasts are needed to assure the reliability of the French nuclear deterrent force.

63.  Kolelas has called for French forces to patrol the city, along with a peacekeeping force including fighters from the warring factions as well as his own militia.

64.  Mercenaries and rebel Comorian soldiers exchanged farewells Thursday, apparently sure their leader, Bob Denard, would soon surrender to French forces who had reversed his coup.

65.  On Sunday evening, President Jacques Chirac said for the first time that French forces would participate in the U.S.-led military offensive on Afghanistan.

66.  On Sunday, after U.S.-led air strikes began, President Jacques Chirac said French forces would participate in the mission, but did not say how.

67.  President Jacques Chirac said for the first time on Sunday that French forces would participate in the U.S.-led military offensive on Afghanistan.

68.  Qatari and French forces began joint military exercises in the Gulf Thursday, the official Qatari News Agency said.

69.  President Jacques Chirac said for the first time on Sunday that French forces will participate in the U.S.-led military offensive now trained on Afghanistan.

70.  President Jacques Chirac said earlier this week that French forces would participate in the offensive in Afghanistan but did not elaborate.