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France expected to more than triple Mali troop numbers France expected to more than triple Mali troop numbers
(35 minutes later)
France is expected to more than triple its troop numbers in Mali as raids continue on Islamist insurgents following overnight air strikes on a small town that had been seized by the rebels.France is expected to more than triple its troop numbers in Mali as raids continue on Islamist insurgents following overnight air strikes on a small town that had been seized by the rebels.
Sources close to the French defence minister, quoted by Agence France-Presse, said French troop numbers would "progressively" reach 2,500.Sources close to the French defence minister, quoted by Agence France-Presse, said French troop numbers would "progressively" reach 2,500.
President François Hollande, speaking from a French military base in Abu Dhabi at the start of a day-long visit to the United Arab Emirates, said: "We will continue the deployment of forces on the ground and in the air. We have 750 troops deployed at the moment and that will keep increasing, so that as quickly as possible we can hand over to the Africans."President François Hollande, speaking from a French military base in Abu Dhabi at the start of a day-long visit to the United Arab Emirates, said: "We will continue the deployment of forces on the ground and in the air. We have 750 troops deployed at the moment and that will keep increasing, so that as quickly as possible we can hand over to the Africans."
He said French forces in Mali had carried out further strikes overnight, "which hit their targets".He said French forces in Mali had carried out further strikes overnight, "which hit their targets".
A convoy of 40 to 50 armed trucks carrying French troops crossed into Mali on Tuesday from Ivory Coast, where they were stationed.A convoy of 40 to 50 armed trucks carrying French troops crossed into Mali on Tuesday from Ivory Coast, where they were stationed.
West African defence chiefs are meeting in Bamako to approve plans to speed up the deployment of 3,300 regional troops, foreseen in a UN-backed intervention plan to be led by Africans. The beginning of the African troop deployment is expected to take at least a week. The troops from the Ecowas grouping of west African states are expected to bolster the Malian army, which is in total disarray following a coup last year and the fall of the desert north to Islamist groups, who operate a drug trafficking and kidnap economy in northern Mali and other Sahelian countries.West African defence chiefs are meeting in Bamako to approve plans to speed up the deployment of 3,300 regional troops, foreseen in a UN-backed intervention plan to be led by Africans. The beginning of the African troop deployment is expected to take at least a week. The troops from the Ecowas grouping of west African states are expected to bolster the Malian army, which is in total disarray following a coup last year and the fall of the desert north to Islamist groups, who operate a drug trafficking and kidnap economy in northern Mali and other Sahelian countries.
France has carried out air strikes since Friday in a vast desert area seized last year by an Islamist alliance, which combines al-Qaida's north-African wing, AQIM, with Mali's home-grown MUJWA and Ansar Dine rebel groups. France has carried out air strikes since Friday in a vast desert area seized last year by an Islamist alliance, which combines al-Qaida's north-African wing, AQIM, with Mali's home-grown Movement for Oneness and Jihad in west Africa (Mojwa) and Ansar Dine rebel groups.
The UN refugee agency said the military clashes in northern Mali were adding to the already large numbers of people who have fled its recent conflicts. The UN refugee agency said the military clashes in northern Mali were adding to the already large numbers of people who had fled its recent conflicts.
Agency spokesman Adrian Edwards said 1,230 refugees from Mali have arrived in Niger, Burkina Faso and Mauritania as a result of the recent clashes between the French-backed Malian army and the rebel groups. The agency spokesman Adrian Edwards said 1,230 refugees from Mali had arrived in Niger, Burkina Faso and Mauritania as a result of the recent clashes between the French-backed Malian army and the rebel groups.
Over 144,000 Malian refugees fled to neighbouring countries in 2012, while nearly 200,000 people fled their homes in northern Mali and were displaced within the country. More than 144,000 Malian refugees fled to neighbouring countries in 2012, while nearly 200,000 people fled their homes in northern Mali and were displaced within the country.
French raids took place overnight over the town of Diabaly, 350km (220 miles) from the capital, Bamako. French raids took place overnight over the town of Diabaly, 220 miles (350km) from the capital, Bamako.
French foreign minister Laurent Fabius – accompanying Hollande on the Dubai visit aimed at firming up trade relations and making progress on a possible sale of 60 Rafale fighter jets – said he was confident Gulf Arab states would also help the Mali campaign. The French foreign minister, Laurent Fabius – accompanying Hollande on the Dubai visit aimed at firming up trade relations and making progress on a possible sale of 60 Rafale fighter jets – said he was confident Gulf Arab states would also help the Mali campaign.
Fabius said there would be a meeting of donors for the Mali operation, most likely in Addis Ababa at the end of January.Fabius said there would be a meeting of donors for the Mali operation, most likely in Addis Ababa at the end of January.
He predicted the current level of the French involvement in Mali would go on for "a matter of weeks".He predicted the current level of the French involvement in Mali would go on for "a matter of weeks".
But a commander of the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in west Africa, one of the extremist groups controlling northern Mali, taunted the French, telling Associated Press: "I would advise France not to sing their victory song too quickly. They managed to leave Afghanistan. They will never leave Mali." But a Mojwa commander taunted the French, telling Associated Press: "I would advise France not to sing their victory song too quickly. They managed to leave Afghanistan. They will never leave Mali."
Oumar Ould Hamaha said: "It's to our advantage that they send in French troops on foot. We are waiting for them. And what they should know is that every French soldier that comes into our territory should make sure to prepare his will beforehand, because he will not leave alive."Oumar Ould Hamaha said: "It's to our advantage that they send in French troops on foot. We are waiting for them. And what they should know is that every French soldier that comes into our territory should make sure to prepare his will beforehand, because he will not leave alive."
In Lisbon, the US defence secretary Leon Panetta said no American troops would be put on the ground in Mali. The US is providing intelligence-gathering assistance to the French in their assault on Islamist extremists in Mali, and officials would not rule out having American aircraft land there to provide airlift and logistical support. Panetta said the US is still working through the details of assistance it will provide France. In Lisbon, the US defence secretary, Leon Panetta, said no American troops would be put on the ground in Mali. The US is providing intelligence-gathering assistance to the French, and officials would not rule out having American aircraft land there to provide airlift and logistical support. Panetta said the US was still working through the details of assistance it would provide France.
The Ecowas mission head in Bamako, Aboudou Toure Cheaka, said west African troops would be on the ground in a week. Their immediate mission would be to help stop the rebel advance, while preparations for a full intervention continued. The Ecowas mission head in Bamako, Aboudou Toure Cheaka, said west African troops would be on the ground in a week. Their immediate mission would be to help stop the rebel advance, while preparations for a full intervention continued, he said.
The original timetable for the 3,300-strong UN-sanctioned African force – backed by western logistics, money and intelligence services – did not initially foresee full deployment before September due to logistical constraints.The original timetable for the 3,300-strong UN-sanctioned African force – backed by western logistics, money and intelligence services – did not initially foresee full deployment before September due to logistical constraints.
Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and Guinea have all offered troops. But regional powerhouse Nigeria, which is due to lead the mission, has cautioned that even if some troops arrive in Mali soon, training will take time. Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and Guinea have all offered troops. But the regional powerhouse, Nigeria, which is due to lead the mission, has cautioned that even if some troops arrive in Mali soon, training will take time.
The plan is being fast-tracked following a plea for help by Mali's government after mobile columns of Islamist fighters last week threatened the central garrison towns of Mopti and Sevare, with its key airport.The plan is being fast-tracked following a plea for help by Mali's government after mobile columns of Islamist fighters last week threatened the central garrison towns of Mopti and Sevare, with its key airport.
The French prime minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, said France's goals were to stop the Islamist rebels, to "safeguard the existence of Mali" and pave the way for the African-led military operation.The French prime minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, said France's goals were to stop the Islamist rebels, to "safeguard the existence of Mali" and pave the way for the African-led military operation.
French intervention has raised the risk for eight French hostages held by al-Qaida allies in the Sahara and for 30,000 French expatriates living in neighbouring states. Concerned about reprisals at home, France has tightened security at public buildings and on public transport.French intervention has raised the risk for eight French hostages held by al-Qaida allies in the Sahara and for 30,000 French expatriates living in neighbouring states. Concerned about reprisals at home, France has tightened security at public buildings and on public transport.