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Mali conflict: French troops 'enter Diabaly' Mali conflict: French troops 'enter Diabaly'
(35 minutes later)
French and Malian troops have entered the key central Malian town of Diabaly, without resistance from militant Islamists, reports say. A column of French and Malian troops has entered the key central Malian town of Diabaly, without resistance from militant Islamists, officials say.
A convoy of about 30 armoured vehicles carrying some 200 French and Malian soldiers moved into the town, said an AFP reporter with the soldiers. About 30 armoured vehicles carrying some 200 French and Malian soldiers moved into the town, said an AFP reporter with the soldiers.
The Islamists fled the town on Friday after it was hit by French airstrikes.The Islamists fled the town on Friday after it was hit by French airstrikes.
France launched its military action in Mali more than a week ago to end the Islamist control of northern Mali.France launched its military action in Mali more than a week ago to end the Islamist control of northern Mali.
France's military aim in Mali is its "total reconquest", French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Sunday. France has sent some 2,000 troops to help Malian forces fight the militants, some of whom are linked to al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
It has called on West African countries to speed up the deployment of a regional force of more than 3,000.
Only about 150 African troops had arrived in Mali's capital, Bamako, by Sunday, AFP reports.
The Islamists seized control of Diabaly, about 400km (250 miles) from the capital, Bamako, soon after France's intervention.
On Monday, French soldiers from the 21st Marine Infantry Regiment as well as parachutists and Malian troops entered the town after reconnaissance flights by Gazelle helicopters, said an AFP reporter with the soldiers.
They had set out at dawn from the nearby government-controlled town of Niono, which French troops entered on Thursday.
Army commanders had earlier expressed fears that Islamists fleeing Diabaly had planted landmines.
On Sunday, French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said France was seeking "total reconquest" of northern Mali.
"We will not leave any pockets" of resistance, he told French television."We will not leave any pockets" of resistance, he told French television.
France has sent some 2,000 troops to help Malian forces fight the Islamist militants. The Islamist groups currently control a vast area in the Sahara Desert, larger than France.