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France renews air strikes on Islamist targets in Mali France renews air strikes on Islamist targets in Mali
(35 minutes later)
The French military has kept up its bombing of militant targets in Mali for a third day, as part of an offensive to drive back Islamists.The French military has kept up its bombing of militant targets in Mali for a third day, as part of an offensive to drive back Islamists.
"There were [air strikes] last night, there are now and there will be today and tomorrow," Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in Paris on Sunday."There were [air strikes] last night, there are now and there will be today and tomorrow," Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said in Paris on Sunday.
The militants suffered "significant" casualties, he said, and hangars and "sensitive sites" were destroyed.The militants suffered "significant" casualties, he said, and hangars and "sensitive sites" were destroyed.
France's decision to intervene so soon took many by surprise.France's decision to intervene so soon took many by surprise.
A UN-backed international force had not been expected to deploy in the west African state until the autumn.A UN-backed international force had not been expected to deploy in the west African state until the autumn.
But last week the Islamists, who already control large swathes of the north, pushed further south, capturing the strategically important town of Konna.But last week the Islamists, who already control large swathes of the north, pushed further south, capturing the strategically important town of Konna.
French President Francois Hollande said France and Europe would be threatened by the creation of a "terrorist state".French President Francois Hollande said France and Europe would be threatened by the creation of a "terrorist state".
Troops from neighbouring African states - Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Togo - are expected to arrive in Mali within days to support the government.Troops from neighbouring African states - Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Togo - are expected to arrive in Mali within days to support the government.
'Child deaths''Child deaths'
"Our intervention is ongoing and we will continue in order to make them [Islamist fighters] retreat and allow Malian and African forces to go forward and re-establish the territorial integrity of the country," Mr Le Drian said on Sunday."Our intervention is ongoing and we will continue in order to make them [Islamist fighters] retreat and allow Malian and African forces to go forward and re-establish the territorial integrity of the country," Mr Le Drian said on Sunday.
No details of Sunday's operations were released but an unconfirmed report by Mauritania's Allakhbar news website suggests the French were bombing targets on either side of the Niger river.No details of Sunday's operations were released but an unconfirmed report by Mauritania's Allakhbar news website suggests the French were bombing targets on either side of the Niger river.
A spokesman for the Ansar Dine Islamist group was quoted as saying that the French attacks had focused on three areas: Konna, Douentza and Lere.A spokesman for the Ansar Dine Islamist group was quoted as saying that the French attacks had focused on three areas: Konna, Douentza and Lere.
Douentza, where Islamist forces are believed to be concentrated, came under air attack on Saturday night, the unnamed spokesman said.Douentza, where Islamist forces are believed to be concentrated, came under air attack on Saturday night, the unnamed spokesman said.
Since the start of the French intervention on Friday, at least 11 Malian soldiers and a French helicopter pilot have been killed.Since the start of the French intervention on Friday, at least 11 Malian soldiers and a French helicopter pilot have been killed.
Human Rights watch believes 10 civilians, including three children, died in Konna as Malian forces fought to recapture the town.Human Rights watch believes 10 civilians, including three children, died in Konna as Malian forces fought to recapture the town.
A Malian army officer said on Saturday he believed more than 100 militants had been killed.A Malian army officer said on Saturday he believed more than 100 militants had been killed.
'Well-armed'
Meanwhile, a French presidential administration official expressed surprise at the fighting-strength of the Islamist militants.
"What has really struck us is how up-to-date their equipment is, and the way they've been trained to use it," the official was quoted as saying by the AFP news agency.
"At the start, we thought they would be just a load of guys with guns driving about in their pick-ups, but the reality is that they are well-trained, well-equipped, and well-armed."
The official added that the militants "have got hold" of much of the weaponry after the Libya conflict.
France's military effort in its former colony has been supported by the US and UK, which is offering assistance with transport.France's military effort in its former colony has been supported by the US and UK, which is offering assistance with transport.
Germany's Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle, has ruled out sending German troops to fight in Mali but welcomed "the fact that the Malian army, with the support of France and African states, has managed to stop the Islamists' advance". German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has ruled out sending German troops to fight in Mali but welcomed "the fact that the Malian army, with the support of France and African states, has managed to stop the Islamists' advance".