The U.S.-led coalition says its troops have killed several insurgents during an offensive in southern Afghanistan.

In a statement issued Saturday, the U.S. military says it conducted air strikes Friday against extremists operating in Garmser district of Helmand province.

Several insurgents were killed and six were detained, as troops targeted extremists involved in financing and arming militants in the area.

The U.S. marines launched a major offensive in Garmser last month to drive out militants operating in the region. Southern Helmand province is considered the world's biggest opium poppy producing region and a hotbed of insurgent activity.

Separately, French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner Saturday said military efforts are not the only solution to ending violence related to the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan.

Kouchner adds all Afghans should be involved in the re-building and development of Afghanistan.

The French foreign minister made the comments ahead of a major donors conference for Afghanistan to be held in Paris next month.

Taliban-led insurgent attacks have picked up in Afghanistan during recent weeks amid reports the extremist forces plan to step up suicide attacks this year in their bid to overthrow the Afghan government and drive out foreign forces.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.