From CNN:  France and some other NATO nations may begin to withdraw some troops from Afghanistan next year — but the move is not tied to a threat issued against the country supposedly by Osama bin Laden, the country’s defense minister said Thursday.

Minister Herve Morin told French radio station RTL that France will begin to transfer the control of certain districts to Afghans in 2011.

"There is a fixed date by NATO in the framework of its new strategy. That is the start of 2011," he said. "In 2011, we are going to transfer a whole series of districts to the Afghans."

"At this moment, there could be the first movements or withdrawal of allied forces from Afghanistan," Morin said.  (photo: AFP/Getty)

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