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France surprised by Mali Islamists' fighting strength France surprised by Mali Islamists' fighting strength
(about 1 hour later)
France has expressed surprise at the fighting strength of Islamists in Mali, as the nation kept up its bombing of militant targets for a third day. France has expressed surprise at the fighting strength of Islamists in Mali, as Paris widened its bombing of militant targets.
A presidential official in Paris said the militants were "well-trained, well-equipped and well-armed", according to the AFP news agency. A presidential official in Paris said the militants were "well-trained" and "well-armed", the AFP news agency says.
The Islamists had got hold of up-to-date and sophisticated weaponry after Libya conflict, the official added. The Islamists had acquired up-to-date and sophisticated weaponry after the Libya conflict, the official added.
France also said the militants suffered "significant" casualties in air raids. France said the rebels had significant" casualties, as it reportedly began bombing the eastern town of Gao.
Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said that hangars and "sensitive sites" were destroyed as part of an offensive to drive back Islamists, who still control large swathes of northern Mali. A resident of the town was quoted by the AFP agency as saying all Islamist bases in Gao had been destroyed and the militants had fled.
Speaking Earlier, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said attacks were continuing as part of an offensive to drive back Islamist militants who still control large swathes of northern Mali.
"There were [air strikes] last night, there are now and there will be today and tomorrow," the minister said."There were [air strikes] last night, there are now and there will be today and tomorrow," the minister said.
France's decision to intervene so soon took many by surprise. France's decision to intervene 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 Islamist fighters pushed further south, seizing the strategically important town of Konna. The town has since been recaptured by Malian troops.
But last week the Islamists pushed further south, seizing the strategically important town of Konna. The town has since been recaptured by Malian troops.
The unnamed Elysee Palace official quoted by AFP said on Sunday that French armed forces had been surprised by the fighting quality of the Islamist militants they were up against.The unnamed Elysee Palace official quoted by AFP said on Sunday that French armed forces had been surprised by the fighting quality of the Islamist militants they were up against.
"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 said. "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 said.
"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."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.
"From Libya they have got hold of a lot of up-to-date sophisticated equipment which is much more robust and effective than we could have imagined." "From Libya they have got hold of a lot of up-to-date, sophisticated equipment which is much more robust and effective than we could have imagined."
French President Francois Hollande said France and Europe would be threatened by the creation of a "terrorist state" in Mali. The French contingent is set to be joined by troops from the neighbouring African states of Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Togo, some of which are expected to arrive in Mali within days.
Troops from neighbouring African states - Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Togo - are expected to arrive in Mali within days to support the government. Islamist groups are still holding several French hostages and have threatened reprisals against them and other French targets. This prompted the French government to step up security across the country on Saturday.
'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.
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.
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.
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.
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".