France may double force in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON — France is expected to announce next week that it is nearly doubling its commitment of forces to the international deployment in Afghanistan, sending about 1,000 troops in the most concrete step yet taken by President Nicholas Sarkozy to support the U.S.-led campaign.

French officials said Sarkozy has yet to decide on final troop numbers or where precisely to send them.

Meanwhile, the U.S. military reported the names of two soldiers assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C., who were killed in Afghanistan.

Army Pfc. Antione V. Robinson, 20, of Detroit died March 19 in Nawa when the vehicle he was repairing collapsed. He was assigned to the 782nd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.

Army Staff Sgt. William R. Neil Jr., 38, of Holmden, N.J., died Saturday in Sperwan Ghar when his vehicle struck an explosive. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group.

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