This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21095456

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Mali crisis: West African leaders to meet in Ivory Coast France's Fabius says Africa 'must' send troops to Mali
(about 1 hour later)
West African leaders are meeting in Ivory Coast to discuss how best to coordinate military action in Mali. West African leaders have been told they must "pick up the baton" in the military offensive to drive Islamist insurgents out of Mali.
They are expected to discuss plans to deploy African troops in support of French and Malian soldiers already in action against Islamic insurgents. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said France had been obliged to send in troops "very, very rapidly otherwise there would be no more Mali".
The French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, will also be taking part in the talks in Abidjan. But he has told a meeting in the Ivory Coast that the deployment of African soldiers is now a priority.
Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara also called for more support for Mali.
He said "the hour has come for a broader commitment by the major powers and more countries and organisations... to show greater solidarity with France and Africa in the total and multi-faceted war against terrorism in Mali".
France's Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Saturday that 2,000 troops were now on the ground in Mali, and the final total could top the 2,500 originally pledged.
Islamist fighters on Friday withdrew from two towns in central Mali following French air strikes.Islamist fighters on Friday withdrew from two towns in central Mali following French air strikes.
Officials say the Islamists have now left the southern town of Diabaly, which they took on Monday, while Mali's army has also recaptured Konna, which was seized by rebels triggering the French intervention.Officials say the Islamists have now left the southern town of Diabaly, which they took on Monday, while Mali's army has also recaptured Konna, which was seized by rebels triggering the French intervention.
Questions over foreign troopsQuestions over foreign troops
The first 100 troops of an African force landed in the capital, Bamako, on Thursday. Laurent Fabius said upon his arrival in the Ivorian capital Abidjan that it was time for the African nations to take over "as soon as possible".
The soldiers from Togo and Nigeria are part of a long-planned West African force that will join the French and Malian armies in fighting the Islamist insurgents who took over northern Mali last year. "France was obliged to intervene very, very rapidly, otherwise there would have been no more Mali," he was quoted by the Agence France Presse as saying.
But questions have been raised about the African forces' ability to fight well-armed Islamist militants, says the BBC's West Africa correspondent Thomas Fessy. "But it is well understood that it is the Africans that must pick up the baton," he added.
The regional troops are being deployed in the conflict under href="http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=S/RES/2085(2012)" title="UN Security Council resolution 2085" >a UN Security Council resolution. Mr Fabius also confirmed that France would lead a European mission next month to help train and rebuild the Malian army.
He has urged Africa's international partners to help with logistical and financial support and said a donors' meeting in Addis Ababa at the end of the month would be crucial in addressing the needs of Mali and the region, the BBC's Thomas Fessy reports from Abidjan.
The first 100 troops of an African force - from Togo and Nigeria - landed in Mali's capital, Bamako, on Thursday.
They are being deployed under a UN Security Council resolution.
The original UN-backed strategy to reclaim northern Mali from Islamist rebels had France - among other Western powers - providing logistical support to an African-led force, adds our correspondent, but it is now clear that French troops will remain at the frontline of operations.The original UN-backed strategy to reclaim northern Mali from Islamist rebels had France - among other Western powers - providing logistical support to an African-led force, adds our correspondent, but it is now clear that French troops will remain at the frontline of operations.
Nigeria will lead the West African force, with Chad, Benin, Ghana, Niger, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Togo also sending soldiers.Nigeria will lead the West African force, with Chad, Benin, Ghana, Niger, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Togo also sending soldiers.
Nigeria says it will increase its forces to 1,200.Nigeria says it will increase its forces to 1,200.
Chad has confirmed it will send 2,000 soldiers and it may also contribute its air force, considered one of the most effective on the continent.Chad has confirmed it will send 2,000 soldiers and it may also contribute its air force, considered one of the most effective on the continent.
France says it now has 1,800 troops in Mali after intervening initially with air strikes to try to halt a rapid advance by the Islamists.
Defence sources say France is likely to boost its troop numbers to 2,500.
Islamist fighters in neighbouring Algeria say they have kidnapped foreign gas workers in retaliation for France's involvement in the Mali conflict.
Islamist groups and secular Tuareg rebels took advantage of chaos following a military coup to seize northern Mali in April 2012. But the Islamists soon took control of the region's major towns, sidelining the Tuaregs.
The battle for Mali previous slide next slideThe battle for Mali previous slide next slide
Are you in Mali? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your experiences using the form below.Are you in Mali? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your experiences using the form below.