BEIRUT: France will make a decision on whether to downsize its UNIFIL contingent after the U.N. finalizes a report on the Lebanon-based forces, French Ambassador to Lebanon Denis Pietton said Tuesday, amid reports that Paris is seeking to reduce its presence in south Lebanon.

Local media Tuesday quoted Denis Pietton as saying that the appropriate decision on any reduction of numbers would follow a strategic review of UNIFIL’s role in the south currently being conducted by the U.N after it renewed the force’s mandate in August.

Pietton also added his support for Lebanon and the Lebanese, according to local media.

Five French peacekeepers were wounded Friday when a roadside bomb hit their vehicle near Tyre, south Lebanon.

The attack raised speculation that France might reduce the number of its troops in UNIFIL, after French president Nicolas Sarkozy threatened to downsize the contingent following a similar July attack in Sidon.

In response, Prime Minister Najib Mikati said at the time that Lebanon would prevent future occurrences and urged Sarkozy to maintain its international peacekeeping numbers in Lebanon.

Pietton did not confirm or deny whether Paris would decrease the number of its troops, saying only that the international organization’s main role is to support the Lebanese Army so that the state can have authority over all its territory.

In an article published Tuesday, An Nahar newspaper said that France would downsize its contingent and that consultation was under way among French military officials to specify the number of troops to be withdrawn as a precautionary measure.

The report added that the decision will be reported to the U.N.

Hours after the attack Friday, French Foreign Minister Alain Juppe said his country was determined to continue its involvement with UNIFIL and would not be intimidated by such incidents.

On the same day, the ministry’s spokesperson, Bernard Valero, hinted at a possible change in its position over UNIFIL, saying that once Paris has the results and recommendations of the strategic review of UNIFIL it would draw the necessary conclusions.