FILE - In this Aug. 31, 2012 file photo, fighters from Islamist group Ansar Dine stand guard in Timbuktu, Mali, as they prepare to publicly lash a member of the Islamic Police found guilty of adultery. France is moving surveillance drones to western Africa amid rising concerns that an al-Qaida offshoot and its allies who control northeast Mali represent a major threat to French interests abroad _ and possibly at home. With six French hostages held by Islamic militants in the region, France is facing a delicate task, but has garnered support from other Western powers including the United States to keep Mali from becoming a new launchpad for global terrorism. (AP Photo, File)
France and the United Nations insist any invasion must be led by African troops. But France has six hostages in Mali and fears it's becoming a new source of cross-border terrorism, and is playing an increasing role behind the scenes.
A French defense official said Monday that drones are headed to the region soon. And officials said American and French military leaders and diplomats are holding talks Monday on intelligence-gathering and security in Africa's Sahel region.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the activities publicly.
Post a Comment