France backs Trump pledge to keep US troops in Afghanistan

U.S. President Donald Trump arrives to announce his strategy for the war in Afghanistan during an address from Fort Myer, Virginia, U.S., August 21, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts Thomson Reuters

PARIS (Reuters) - France on Wednesday backed a commitment by U.S. President Donald Trump to maintain a military presence in Afghanistan.

"France recognizes the importance of this undertaking and remains resolutely engaged in the struggle against terrorism," a foreign ministry statement said.

Trump on Monday rowed back on a campaign pledge to quit Afghanistan, committing instead to an open-ended "fight to win" against Taliban insurgents there.

(Reporting by Andrew Callus; editing by John Stonestreet)