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Mali Tuareg rebels say they control Timbuktu as troops flee Mali Tuareg rebels 'control Timbuktu' as troops flee
(about 1 hour later)
Tuareg separatist rebels in Mali say they have seized the historic town of Timbuktu after a rapid advance through the north of the country.Tuareg separatist rebels in Mali say they have seized the historic town of Timbuktu after a rapid advance through the north of the country.
A statement said they had "control of the entire region" of Timbuktu, and had ended the Malian "occupation".A statement said they had "control of the entire region" of Timbuktu, and had ended the Malian "occupation".
Eyewitnesses said the rebels bombarded a local army base, but government troops had already left.Eyewitnesses said the rebels bombarded a local army base, but government troops had already left.
The leader of the coup that overthrew Mali's president last month has pledged to return power to civilian hands.The leader of the coup that overthrew Mali's president last month has pledged to return power to civilian hands.
Capt Amadou Sanogo said in a statement in the capital, Bamako, that the 1992 constitution - which his coup had earlier scrapped - would now be re-established.Capt Amadou Sanogo said in a statement in the capital, Bamako, that the 1992 constitution - which his coup had earlier scrapped - would now be re-established.
He also told Agence France-Presse news agency he had despatched envoys to the region to try to obtain a ceasefire.
Analysts say the rebels in the north have been taking advantage of uncertainty after the coup to make a swift advance.Analysts say the rebels in the north have been taking advantage of uncertainty after the coup to make a swift advance.
'Defending''Defending'
The rebels' statement said they would now begin their "mission of defending and securing the territory of the Azawad, for the happiness of its people".The rebels' statement said they would now begin their "mission of defending and securing the territory of the Azawad, for the happiness of its people".
Azawad is the rebels' term for the entire north of Mali, which they want recognised as an independent Tuareg homeland.Azawad is the rebels' term for the entire north of Mali, which they want recognised as an independent Tuareg homeland.
The statement also denied reports of links to Islamist groups.The statement also denied reports of links to Islamist groups.
Located on the southern edge of the Sahara, and just north of the River Niger, Timbuktu is nearly 1,000 years old. Famous writers have contributed to its mythical status. The Moorish author, Leo Africanus, described how the king of Timbuktu was so rich that some of his golden objects weighed hundreds of kilos.Located on the southern edge of the Sahara, and just north of the River Niger, Timbuktu is nearly 1,000 years old. Famous writers have contributed to its mythical status. The Moorish author, Leo Africanus, described how the king of Timbuktu was so rich that some of his golden objects weighed hundreds of kilos.
The town made its fortune through trade, where salt brought in from the Sahara was worth its weight in gold. Slaves and ivory were also traded.The town made its fortune through trade, where salt brought in from the Sahara was worth its weight in gold. Slaves and ivory were also traded.
With its distinctive mud mosques rising from the sand, the town is a centre for Islamic scholarship. About 700 ancient manuscripts are held in the town's approximately 60 libraries.With its distinctive mud mosques rising from the sand, the town is a centre for Islamic scholarship. About 700 ancient manuscripts are held in the town's approximately 60 libraries.
But the Timbuktu of today is very different from the golden age. It is poor and parts of it are sinking under the encroaching desert sands. It has until recently attracted tourists but they have been put off by a spate of kidnappings by a group with links to al-Qaeda.But the Timbuktu of today is very different from the golden age. It is poor and parts of it are sinking under the encroaching desert sands. It has until recently attracted tourists but they have been put off by a spate of kidnappings by a group with links to al-Qaeda.
Two other important northern centres, Kidal and Gao, fell to the Tuareg fighters and their reported Islamist allies in recent days.Two other important northern centres, Kidal and Gao, fell to the Tuareg fighters and their reported Islamist allies in recent days.
It appears there was no real combat in Timbuktu, the BBC's Thomas Fessy reports from Dakar in neighbouring Senegal.It appears there was no real combat in Timbuktu, the BBC's Thomas Fessy reports from Dakar in neighbouring Senegal.
Eyewitnesses told BBC News by phone that rebels were mixing with local Arab militia who have been protecting businesses since troops fled the town.Eyewitnesses told BBC News by phone that rebels were mixing with local Arab militia who have been protecting businesses since troops fled the town.
Rebels from the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) have been driving around the town in their pick-ups, waving the MNLA flag.Rebels from the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) have been driving around the town in their pick-ups, waving the MNLA flag.
Residents and other sources said the two groups had talked and avoided a fight, but it was unclear whether the Arabs joined the rebel group or reached some other agreement, our correspondent says.Residents and other sources said the two groups had talked and avoided a fight, but it was unclear whether the Arabs joined the rebel group or reached some other agreement, our correspondent says.
Timbuktu, about 706km (438 miles) from the capital Bamako, was the only major northern town still under the control of the Malian army.Timbuktu, about 706km (438 miles) from the capital Bamako, was the only major northern town still under the control of the Malian army.
Figures on casualties in the fighting have not been available.Figures on casualties in the fighting have not been available.
'Prison opened''Prison opened'
Earlier, the MNLA, which is backed by Islamist fighters, said it "liberated" the town of Gao on Saturday.Earlier, the MNLA, which is backed by Islamist fighters, said it "liberated" the town of Gao on Saturday.
Witnesses quoted by AFP said unknown attackers had forced open the gates of the town's prison and several public buildings had been looted by civilians.Witnesses quoted by AFP said unknown attackers had forced open the gates of the town's prison and several public buildings had been looted by civilians.
The country has been in turmoil for more than a week since army officers overthrew the government, blaming it for failing to contain the rebels, who launched their offensive in January.The country has been in turmoil for more than a week since army officers overthrew the government, blaming it for failing to contain the rebels, who launched their offensive in January.
Capt Sanogo said on Sunday that state institutions would be "restored".Capt Sanogo said on Sunday that state institutions would be "restored".
He said the coup leaders would consult with local political forces to set up a transition body "with the aim of organising peaceful, free, open and democratic elections in which we will not take part".He said the coup leaders would consult with local political forces to set up a transition body "with the aim of organising peaceful, free, open and democratic elections in which we will not take part".
A spokesman for Ecowas, the regional group of states that has threatened sanctions if the Malian government is not reinstated, told BBC News a new consultation would be held within the group.A spokesman for Ecowas, the regional group of states that has threatened sanctions if the Malian government is not reinstated, told BBC News a new consultation would be held within the group.
Ecowas, which has put 2,000 troops on standby for a possible intervention, threatened earlier to close land borders, freeze assets and impose a financial blockade if the army did not stand down before Monday.Ecowas, which has put 2,000 troops on standby for a possible intervention, threatened earlier to close land borders, freeze assets and impose a financial blockade if the army did not stand down before Monday.
Are you in Timbuktu or neighbouring areas? Have you witnessed any attacks or looting? Please get in touch using the form below.Are you in Timbuktu or neighbouring areas? Have you witnessed any attacks or looting? Please get in touch using the form below.