BEIRUT: France will reduce its U.N. Interim Forces in Lebanon regiment from 1,300 to 900 peacekeepers, a French diplomatic source told The Daily Star Tuesday.

The source tied the reduction to an upcoming strategic review of UNIFIL that focuses on ways to increase the responsibility of the Lebanese Army, denying that the cut comes in response to two attacks on French peacekeepers last year.

“There will be other ways of working with the Lebanese Army and we think 900 soldiers will be sufficient for this,” the source added.

Five French peacekeepers were injured in a roadside bomb in Tyre on Dec. 9, four months after a roadside bomb in Sidon wounded five French soldiers.

The reduction will be discussed by Prime Minister Najib Mikati and French leaders during the premier’s visit to Paris this week, said the source.