The EU is due on Thursday to approve a mission to train Mali's
military forces, at an extraordinary meeting of the bloc's foreign
ministers.
The meeting was convened after the conflict escalated last week
The meeting was convened after the conflict escalated last week
and France became involved.
Last year, the EU decided in principle to send around 200 military trainers to Mali, to help Bamako regain control over the country's north after it was seized by the rebels.
That deployment had now become ''necessary and urgent,'' a senior EU official said on Wednesday, adding that the bloc was looking at other means of assistance that could be deployed swiftly.
But one EU diplomat said the training mission would not start work until a ''stable situation'' had been achieved in southern Mali, where they will be based.
The trainers will not be involved in combat.
AGENCY REPORT
Last year, the EU decided in principle to send around 200 military trainers to Mali, to help Bamako regain control over the country's north after it was seized by the rebels.
That deployment had now become ''necessary and urgent,'' a senior EU official said on Wednesday, adding that the bloc was looking at other means of assistance that could be deployed swiftly.
But one EU diplomat said the training mission would not start work until a ''stable situation'' had been achieved in southern Mali, where they will be based.
The trainers will not be involved in combat.
AGENCY REPORT
No comments:
Post a Comment