France on Thursday said it would keep 80 military personnel in Ivory Coast largely for training purposes, as it handed over control of a military base in the West African country's commercial capital Abidjan.

Ivory Coast has officially taken control of the last remaining French military base in the country as the majority of French forces departed from countries across West Africa.

Ivory Coast and France plan to maintain some security cooperation even as French soldiers stationed in the West African country start withdrawing.

At its peak, about 1,000 French soldiers were stationed at the base to combat jihadist threats across the region. Despite the withdrawal, around 80 French soldiers will remain for training and support

The French Armed Forces Minister said some 80 servicemen will remain in the country to advise and train the Ivorian military.

IVORY COAST troops took over the last remaining French army base in the country today, as the former colonial power withdraws forces across west Africa. But Defence Minister Tene Birahima Ouattara said 80 French soldiers will stay behind to advise and train the Ivorian military.

Ivory Coast officially took control of the last remaining French military base in the country Thursday as most French forces departed from countries across West Africa.

France returned on Thursday its sole military base in Ivory Coast to the west African nation's authorities, marking an end to decades of French presence at the site. Ivory Coast has remained an anomaly in France's relationship with Africa,

France on Thursday handed its sole Ivory Coast military base back to its former colony. France has been present in the country for decades, and its departure is in line with a growing trend among African countries to reduce their military ties with France.