As part of it regular mission along the West Coast, a French Navy ship, Commandant L'Herminier, will berth in Lagos next Tuesday.

A statement signed by Emmanuel Gagniarre from the Embassy of France in Abuja stated that the purpose of the visit is to reinforce bilateral ties between France and Nigeria.

"Commandant L'Herminier's visit bears witness to a renewed willingness to foster cooperation between the two navies and to resume regular ports of call by ships of the two countries. Commandant L'Herminier's call is the first one by a French Navy ship since September 2005," the statement said.

The French ship will be coming under command of Commander Fabrice Berthelot, with a 93 member crew.

The French Embassy said that series of official meetings and visits are scheduled during the 4-day stay of in Lagos, under the joint aegis of the Nigerian Navy and the office of the French Embassy's Defence Attache, and with the support of the French Consulate General in Lagos.

According to the statement, the French ship, Commandant l'Herminier the 11th frigate among seventeen sister ships built by the shipyard of Lorient in Brittany, Western France, was laid down in 1979 and launched on January 19 1986. She has a 1330 tons displacement and a top speed of 24 knots. She specialises in coastal anti-submarine warfare.

Commander Berthelot has been in charge of Commandant L'Herminier since June 2006. He is bearer of the National Defence Medal (Gold grade) and of a commemorative medal (Afghanistan) for his participation in the Enduring Freedom operation.