PARIS - French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Wednesday he welcomed U.S. President Barack Obama's decision to send more troops to Afghanistan, but did not immediately commit France to following suit.

However, just days after saying he would not dispatch more forces to the region, Sarkozy left the door open for eventual reinforcements in the new year.

"(Obama's) speech was courageous, determined and lucid, giving new impetus to the international commitment and opening new prospects," Sarkozy's office said in a statement.

"The (French) president offers his full support and calls on all countries which want to help the Afghan people to back it," the statement added.