Hollande, in Gulf, defends France's Mali offensive

January 16, 2013 00:10

AFP: French President Francois Hollande, on a visit to the Gulf, today defended his country's intervention in Mali, saying it had prevented the African country from being overrun by "terrorists".

Speaking to reporters in Dubai, Hollande said his government does not intend to keep forces in Mali, but will remain until security is restored and Islamist fighters eliminated.

Earlier, as he arrived at Peace Camp in Abu Dhabi '" his country's only military base in the region -- Hollande said it will take at least another week before an African force is deployed in Mali.

The French intervention had allowed time for this force to be put together. "France is at the forefront," said Hollande. "Had it not been there, Mali would have been today entirely occupied by terrorists and other African countries threatened," he said.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Meet Baldev Kumar from Punjab, first outsider to contest J-K LS polls

The abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 paved the way for outsiders to contest polls in the Union Territory.

IPL PIX: Rahul, de Kock power LSG to easy win over CSK

Openers KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock hit fifties as LSG trounced CSK by eight wickets.

Phase 1 sees nearly 63% polling amid stray incidents of violence

"The voting percentage is likely to go upwards when reports from all polling stations are obtained as polling is scheduled till 6 pm in many constituencies. Final figures will be known on Saturday after the scrutiny of form 17A," the EC...

Manipur records 68% polling marred by violence, firing, booth capturing

At Thamnapokpi under Moirang constituency in Bishnupur district, armed men fired several rounds in the air near a polling booth prompting voters to flee, police said on Friday, adding additional security personnel were rushed to the spot...

Air India to soon have new crew management system

Air India will soon have a new crew management system that will help strengthen rostering rules and enable faster recovery from scheduled disruptions. In a message to the staff on Friday, Air India CEO and MD Campbell Wilson said that...