(BRUSSELS) - The French presidency of the European Union on Monday expressed "consternation" after Afghanistan said that more than 90 civilians were killed in US-led air strikes last week.

Brussels said it had "learnt of the high number of civilian deaths with consternation," according to a statement.

The Afghan cabinet had earlier demanded a renegotiation of agreements regulating the presence of international troops in Afghanistan, seeking a halt to air strikes on civilians, illegal detentions and unilateral house searches, a statement said.

The US-led coalition says Friday's strikes were targeted at Taliban rebels and 30 of them were killed, although it is investigating claims of civilian casualties.

"The solution is not only military," French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner also said Monday, eight days after 10 French soldiers were killed during ground fighting in Afghanistan.

Text and Picture Copyright 2008 AFP. All other Copyright 2008 EUbusiness Ltd. All rights reserved. This material is intended solely for personal use. Any other reproduction, publication or redistribution of this material without the written agreement of the copyright owner is strictly forbidden and any breach of copyright will be considered actionable.