Thousands of African troops are preparing to join the fight against Islamist rebels in Mali, as France said it wanted African forces to take over the offensive as quickly as possible.
Gerard Araud, France's UN ambassador, said France wanted to let an African
force take the lead in the battle against the extremists "as quickly as
possible."
The UN Security Council passed Resolution 2085 in December authorising a
3,300-strong African force to help Mali's army reconquer the north. It also
called for political efforts to end the crisis.
"Our goal is to go back to implementation of Resolution 2085 as quickly
as possible so that the African forces and the Malian forces take care of
the problem and that there is a political agreement," Mr Araud told
reporters. He did not give a deadline for the end of the operation.
As France pursued a fourth day of airstrikes against Al-Qaeda-linked forces,
the UN said at least 30,000 people have fled the conflict zone and the
militants were stopping people crossing into government territory.
French troops arrived in Mali on Thursday to halt an advance by extremist fighters - who have controlled the north of the country since March - on the capital Bamako.
The United States and Britain are providing logistical help to French forces. Russia and China, meanwhile, have indicated they do not oppose France's blitz against the guerrillas.
The Security Council and other international bodies had voiced concerns about when African troops could get to Mali to support the country's enfeebled army, while the United States has expressed doubts about the African force and the capability of the Malian army.
Susan Rice, the US ambassador, said the United States has "always had questions" about the West African force and that its concept may have to be completely reviewed.
Mali's army launched a coup in March that enabled the rebels to take over the north and has since virtually collapsed. Diplomats said Malian troops melted away in the face of the extremists' advance last week.
French troops arrived in Mali on Thursday to halt an advance by extremist fighters - who have controlled the north of the country since March - on the capital Bamako.
The United States and Britain are providing logistical help to French forces. Russia and China, meanwhile, have indicated they do not oppose France's blitz against the guerrillas.
The Security Council and other international bodies had voiced concerns about when African troops could get to Mali to support the country's enfeebled army, while the United States has expressed doubts about the African force and the capability of the Malian army.
Susan Rice, the US ambassador, said the United States has "always had questions" about the West African force and that its concept may have to be completely reviewed.
Mali's army launched a coup in March that enabled the rebels to take over the north and has since virtually collapsed. Diplomats said Malian troops melted away in the face of the extremists' advance last week.
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