France's President Francois Hollande gives a speech during a ceremony in honour of French troops that served in Afghanistan, on December 21, 2012 at the Elysee Palace, in Paris. Hollande has declared 'mission accomplished' for French combat troops who returned home recently from Afghanistan. France still has 1,500 troops in Afghanistan repatriating equipment or working in roles like providing medical care or helping run Kabul's airport. Hollande said the numbers will decline to 500 by mid-2013.
{"Image ImageDescription": "France's President Francois Hollande gives a speech during a ceremony in honour of French troops that served in Afghanistan, on December 21, 2012 at the Elysee Palace, in Paris. Hollande has declared \"mission accomplished\" for French combat troops who returned home recently from Afghanistan. France still has 1,500 troops in Afghanistan repatriating equipment or working in roles like providing medical care or helping run Kabul's airport. Hollande said the numbers will decline to 500 by mid-2013. AFP PHOTO POOL THIBAULT CAMUS        (Photo credit should read THIBAULT CAMUS/AFP via Getty Images)", "Image Copyright": "2012 AFP"}