(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Adults in France are against their country’s participation in Afghanistan, according to a poll by Ifop published in Le Figaro. 64 per cent of respondents oppose the military intervention.

Afghanistan has been the main battleground in the war on terrorism. The conflict began in October 2001, after the Taliban regime refused to hand over Osama bin Laden without evidence of his participation in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Al-Qaeda operatives hijacked and crashed four airplanes on Sept. 11, 2001, killing nearly 3,000 people.

At least 1,324 soldiers—including 29 French—have died in the war on terrorism, either in support of the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom or as part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

France currently has 3,000 soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

Earlier this month, French president Nicolas Sarkozy reiterated his commitment to the mission in a letter to Afghan president Hamid Karzai. Sarkozy wrote: "The next Afghan government will naturally be able to count on the full support of the international community, and first and foremost of France. France is more than ever at the side of Afghanistan to win this struggle for freedom, democracy, peace and security. It will remain so far as long as necessary."

Polling Data

Do you favour or oppose France’s military intervention in Afghanistan?

Favour


36%

Oppose


64%

Source: Ifop / Le Figaro
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,005 French adults, conducted from Aug. 10 to Aug. 18, 2009.