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Europe
EU set to back French war in Mali
2013-01-17
European foreign ministers have been summoned to an emergency meeting in Brussels on Thursday to decide how to support France's war in Mali.

They are expected to finalise plans to dispatch hundreds of EU military personnel to Bamako to train half the Malian army and appoint a head of that mission as well as a senior diplomat as an EU special representative to the Sahel.

Caught by surprise by the Islamist surge at the weekend from the north of the country, individual EU countries have been quick to offer the French logistical support, mainly in the form of transport aircraft from the Germans and the British. While the French media have largely cheered on the president, François Hollande, in what is considered to be a rare display of decisiveness in Africa, they have also showered scorn on the other Europeans, seen as failing to step up to the plate.
Posted by:tipper

#9  Is it too soon to say...quagmire?
Posted by: Herman Elmolet7160   2013-01-17 12:37  

#8  Map and data at #7 updated daily.
Posted by: Besoeker   2013-01-17 11:42  

#7  Interactive Map

(Klik on small flags)
Posted by: Besoekerr   2013-01-17 11:39  

#6  Why am I humming Roland, the Headless Thompson Gunner?
Posted by: M. Murcek   2013-01-17 11:37  

#5  Be sure to announce all your operations in advance, guys. Because that's worked out so well up to now.
Posted by: Muggsy Mussolini1226   2013-01-17 11:31  

#4  The Malians are going to need a little less training and a little more firepower.
Posted by: Steve White   2013-01-17 11:27  

#3  EU authorizes military training mission for Mali
The European Union on Thursday authorized sending a military training mission to Mali to help the African nation fend off the Islamist rebels that have taken over a broad swath of territory.

The EU said the mission would provide instruction to the Malian army on matters of command and control, logistics, civilian protection and humanitarian law. It would not involve combat.

Although dispatching the training team will require another decision by European leaders, the move Thursday was aimed at bolstering support for the Malian government and came days after major EU power France launched its own military operation to help its onetime colony.
Posted by: tipper   2013-01-17 10:41  

#2  Hasn't ended since 1529, only a few periodic slap downs and strategic pauses. The dog must be put down, but no one wants the job.
Posted by: Besoeker   2013-01-17 09:50  

#1  This will not end well.
Posted by: Nimble Spemble   2013-01-17 09:29  

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