Mali: President Requests Help From France

Malian President Dioncounda Traore requested assistance from France in fighting Islamist militants that have seized control of northern Mali, AP reported Jan. 10. French U.N. Ambassador Gerard Araud said after an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting Jan. 10 that action is needed to counter the threat, and that France will make an announcement on its plans to help Mali on Jan. 11. Western countries are concerned that Mali could become a staging ground for transnational jihadists and have signaled their intent to support an offensive to counter the rebels....