Two French soldiers have been killed in combat in the Central African Republic, the French presidency says, reports the BBC.
A statement said President Francois Hollande "learned with deep sadness" that the two had been killed overnight in the capital Bangui.
They are the first French deaths since President Hollande deployed 1,600 soldiers to the CAR last week.
The CAR has been in chaos since rebel leader Michel Djotodia ousted President Francois Bozize in March.
Since then, rival Muslim and Christian fighters have been accused of killing hundreds of people.
The statement from President Hollande's office said the soldiers had "lost their lives to save many others".
"The president expresses his profound respect for the sacrifice of these two soldiers and renews his full confidence in the French forces committed - alongside African forces - to restoring security in the Central African Republic, to protecting the people and guaranteeing access to humanitarian aid," it said.
Read more of this report from the BBC.