France to send more troops to join Mali offensive

"We prevented it," he said. But the push has not yet driven them from the town of Konna, the scene of a fierce battle last week that weakened the Malian army, Le Drian said. "We are facing a versatile adversary who is determined, well-equipped and well-trained," he said. The campaign will continue "as long as it is necessary" to defend Mali's embattled government and allow the speedy deployment of an African-led peacekeeping mission and a European force that will train Malian troops, Le Drian said. And speaking on a visit to the United Arab Emirates, French President Francois Hollande said the number of French troops deployed would increase "so that France can make way as quickly as possible" for an African force. France has no intention of staying in Mali permanently but would do what was necessary until the African force was ready to take over, he said. Read more: What's behind the instability in Mali? Hollande said France had three aims: stopping the "terrorist aggression" from the north; securing Bamako and safeguarding French nationals there; and enabling Mali to recover its territorial integrity. And he stressed that France was in Mali at the request of its government, with the support of its neighbors and world powers, and within the framework of international law.

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