Islamist Rebels - France Launches Air Strike In Mali Reuters

By Alexandria Sage as well as Tiemoko Diallo

PARIS/BAMAKO Fri Jan 11, 2013 1:52pm EST

PARIS/BAMAKO (Reuters) - The French air flow force done a great air hand techinque in Mali about Friday throughout support of government aids endeavoring to thrust again Islamist rebels , French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said.

The raid came up since France presented a armed service treatment in that west African point out to support the us government withstand a motivate southern by simply digital rebel forces.

Western influence fear the connections connected with al Qaeda-linked militants which seized the upper two-thirds regarding Mali with April will seek to work with your vast wilderness area as being a launchpad to get intercontinental attacks.

"French allows brought their assist that afternoon for you to Malian internet marketer items for you to combat terrorist elements," French President Francois Hollande advised reporters. "This procedure will final provided that is necessary."

Hollande explained United Nations Security Council file sizes meant France had been acting in accordance with worldwide laws.

Earlier, Hollande experienced created the idea clear of which France would intercede for you to cease further generate southward by simply Islamist rebels as Malian soldiers brought out a counter-offensive to be able to wrest back some sort of town captured through militants this week.

Mali's federal appealed pertaining to immediate military services help from France about Thursday following Islamist mma fighters encroached further south, seizing the city with Konna while in the heart belonging to the country. The rebel enhance triggered panic among citizens while in the in close proximity towns regarding Mopti in addition to Sevare, residence to somewhat of a government starting and airport.

"We are usually challenged with blatant lack of control that may be looking set Mali's really existence. France can not agree to this," Hollande explained inside a New Year presentation to diplomats as well as journalists. "We shall be ready to stop that terrorists' bothersome if them continues."

The U.N. Security Council throughout December official the deployment of the African-led force reinforced through European states.

"The French believe France, along with Europe, skin a genuine protection danger from what on earth is taking place within the Sahel," mentioned Jakkie Cilliers, accounting director of the Institute intended for Security Studies in South Africa.

More as compared with two many years well worth regarding peaceful elections possessed acquired this Mali a new reputation for a bulwark associated with democracy in a very component of Africa better acknowledged intended for turmoil - an impression this unraveled in the matter with many days after some sort of coup final March that made began seeing pertaining to the actual Islamist rebellion.

Mali is usually Africa's third biggest platinum maker along with a significant cotton grower, along with dwelling on the fabled north desert urban center associated with Timbuktu - an ancient trading hub along with UNESCO World Heritage website in which hosted twelve-monthly music festivals ahead of the rebellion.

REINFORCEMENTS ARRIVE

Residents had seen Western troops coming delayed on Thursday from a good air-port with Sevare, 60 km (40 miles) southern region associated with Konna.

Sevare citizens likewise reported your arrival associated with government helicopters and also army reinforcements, which in turn took portion inside the counter-attack for you to retake Konna instantaneously on Thursday from a bid that will jiggle back the actual militant's southward drive.

"Helicopters have brimmed over digital rebel positions. The function will continue," a elderly armed service source in Bamako said.

A reference at Sevare international airport additionally said all around several battle airplanes had showed up on Friday. A spokesman for the Nigerian atmosphere drive said planes have been deployed in order to Mali for a reconnaissance mission, definitely not with regard to combat.

A spokesman one of several principal sets inside the Islamist rebel alliance said many people always been in control associated with Konna.

Asked whether the rebels intended to touch ahead in order to capture Sevare along with Mopti, the Ansar Dine spokesman, Sanda Ould Boumama, said: "We will make which distinct in the forthcoming days." He said almost any intervention simply by France can be proof a good anti-Islam bias.

The French currency ministry walked way up its safety measures tell on Mali in addition to elements connected with neighboring Mauritania and Niger about Friday, advancing it is red-colored alert - the greatest levels - in adding Bamako. France includes 8 nationals throughout Islamist hands from the Sahara soon after a chain involving kidnappings.

"Due towards the severe deterioration in the reliability predicament in Mali, the threat of assault or abduction is actually growing," the actual ministry reported around its journey alert. "It can be passionately advised that people stay clear of unnecessarily exposing yourself to help risks."

(Additional reporting simply by Richard Valdmanis around Dakar, Pascal Fletcher inside Johannesburg, Alexandria Sage, John Irish plus Elizabeth Pineau throughout Paris; composing simply by Daniel Flynn; editing by Philippa Fletcher and Giles Elgood)