France to Re-Home Military Commands

France's military commands will be housed in a single headquarters by 2012, a ministry official says.

The army, navy and overall military commands will move into a new facility on the outskirts of Paris, Reuters reports.

The air force command is already located in the area.

Approximately 10,000 people will be based at the new facility in the Balard district, including 5,000 air force staff already in the area.

The government is expected to sell the central Paris buildings where the commands are currently located, but will retain ownership of the Hotel de Brienne, which currently houses the Ministry of Defence.

By staff writer