African-led security force to Mali leads AU talks
Date 2012/10/25 10:15:51 | Topic: Mali
| African Union officials are discussing the logistics for the deployment of an African-led international force against Islamist militants in Mali.
A top African Union official, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, said at the beginning of a security council meeting on Wednesday that the force would help Mali recover occupied territories in its north. Dlamini-Zuma said the AU would also leave the door open for those willing to participate in negotiations. She urged African leaders to help the country "restore in earnest state authority over the northern part of the country."
The March coup in Mali has led the northern region of the country to fall under the control of armed Islamist extremists that are allied to al-Qaida.
The top U.S. official on Africa has said military action to oust the militants is inevitable.
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