Macron in Chad to meet soldiers amid extremist threats

French President Emmanuel Macron is traveling to Chad for a two-day visit to meet with French soldiers deployed in the Sahel region with Operation Barkhane amid persistent extremist threats.

According to the Elysee palace, Macron will use his first visit to the north-central African country to reaffirm his commitment to the fight against extremism in the region.

Macron also will meet with President Idriss Deby on Sunday and will meet with a delegation of Chadian women.

On Saturday, the French president will share a Christmas meal with French soldiers at the Barkhane headquarters in the capital, N'Djamena.

The operation in West and Central Africa involves 4,500 personnel and is France's largest overseas military mission.