
New French Defence Gerard Longuet (C) tests a helicopter simulation during his visit to the 1st Fighting Helicopters Regiment of the French Army in Phalsbourg, eastern France, on 04 March 2011. It was the minister's first visit to the troops since French President Nicolas Sarkozy on 27 February appointed him successor of Alain Juppe who was named new French Foreign Minister following a cabinet reshuffle. EPA/MATHIEU CUGNOT

New French Defence Gerard Longuet (up) climbs into a 'Tiger' combat helicopter during visit to the 1st Fighting Helicopters Regiment of the French Army in Phalsbourg, eastern France, on 04 March 2011. Others are not identified. It was the minister's first visit to the troops since French President Nicolas Sarkozy on 27 February appointed him successor of Alain Juppe who was named new French Foreign Minister following a cabinet reshuffle. EPA/MATHIEU CUGNOT

New French Defence Gerard Longuet (C) arrives for his visit to the 1st Fighting Helicopters Regiment of the French Army in Phalsbourg, eastern France, on 04 March 2011. Others are not identified. It was the minister's first visit to the troops since French President Nicolas Sarkozy on 27 February appointed him successor of Alain Juppe who was named new French Foreign Minister following a cabinet reshuffle. EPA/MATHIEU CUGNOT

New French Defence Gerard Longuet (L) sits in the cockpit of a 'Tiger' combat helicopter during visit to the 1st Fighting Helicopters Regiment of the French Army in Phalsbourg, eastern France, on 04 March 2011. Others are not identified. It was the minister's first visit to the troops since French President Nicolas Sarkozy on 27 February appointed him successor of Alain Juppe who was named new French Foreign Minister following a cabinet reshuffle. EPA/MATHIEU CUGNOT

New French Defence Gerard Longuet delivers a speech during his visit to the 1st Fighting Helicopters Regiment of the French Army in Phalsbourg, eastern France, on 04 March 2011. It was the minister's first visit to the troops since French President Nicolas Sarkozy on 27 February appointed him successor of Alain Juppe who was named new French Foreign Minister following a cabinet reshuffle. EPA/MATHIEU CUGNOT

New French Defence Gerard Longuet (C) tests a helicopter simulation during his visit to the 1st Fighting Helicopters Regiment of the French Army in Phalsbourg, eastern France, on 04 March 2011. It was the minister's first visit to the troops since French President Nicolas Sarkozy on 27 February appointed him successor of Alain Juppe who was named new French Foreign Minister following a cabinet reshuffle. EPA/MATHIEU CUGNOT

New French Defence Gerard Longuet tests a helicopter simulation during his visit to the 1st Fighting Helicopters Regiment of the French Army in Phalsbourg, eastern France, on 04 March 2011. It was the minister's first visit to the troops since French President Nicolas Sarkozy on 27 February appointed him successor of Alain Juppe who was named new French Foreign Minister following a cabinet reshuffle. EPA/MATHIEU CUGNOT