Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander raised concerns about comments from US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta about a US withdrawal from combat roles in 2013.

BBC: Hague: UK committed to Afghan troop withdrawal by 2014

France has been in contact with U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta about the situation, Le Drian said.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

France has been in contact with U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta about the situation, as well as its African and European allies, according to Le Drian.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS