France, Jan. 31 -- French forces have withdrawn from Chad after 65 years, although France maintains that military cooperation will continue.

French forces have left Chad after 65 years of almost continuous presence in the West African country.

While the withdrawal was undertaken at Chad's request, France's foreign ministry told RFI it is "absolutely not the end" of cooperation on military matters.

The ministry's spokesperson also outlined France's position on the crisis in eastern DRC where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels are advancing in North and South Kivu provinces.

On Thursday, the French army handed the Adij Kossei base - its last military compound in Chad - over to Chadian authorities, withPresident Mahamat Idriss Deby Itnowelcoming w...