This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21845609
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Mali crisis: France host talks on post-war development | Mali crisis: France host talks on post-war development |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| France is hosting talks on Mali's post-war development, two months after sending troops to battle Islamist militants in the north of the country. | France is hosting talks on Mali's post-war development, two months after sending troops to battle Islamist militants in the north of the country. |
| Malian and French officials in Lyon are discussing how to ensure militants do not launch fresh attacks on civilians. | Malian and French officials in Lyon are discussing how to ensure militants do not launch fresh attacks on civilians. |
| As France prepares to pull out its troops from Mali, it says improving living conditions are also a priority. | As France prepares to pull out its troops from Mali, it says improving living conditions are also a priority. |
| France intervened after the al-Qaeda-linked militants threatened to march on the capital, Bamako. | France intervened after the al-Qaeda-linked militants threatened to march on the capital, Bamako. |
| Islamist groups took over major cities, including Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu, and imposed strict Islamic law in the aftermath of a coup in March 2012. | Islamist groups took over major cities, including Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu, and imposed strict Islamic law in the aftermath of a coup in March 2012. |
| Since the French-led intervention began, this territory has been recaptured with the help of Malian, Chadian and other African troops. | Since the French-led intervention began, this territory has been recaptured with the help of Malian, Chadian and other African troops. |
| But fighting is still continuing in the northern mountains of the country. | But fighting is still continuing in the northern mountains of the country. |
| The BBC's Mamadou Moussa Ba in Lyon says France is keen to support the country's institutions and has brought together local officials from around the West African nation. | The BBC's Mamadou Moussa Ba in Lyon says France is keen to support the country's institutions and has brought together local officials from around the West African nation. |
| According to Pascal Canfin, France's development minister, priorities will be given to restarting projects to improve the living conditions of local people in health, rural development, water and sanitation. | |
| "One city out of three in France is twined or has closed ties with towns in Mali, so the co-operation between France and these local authorities is key to French strategy," he told the BBC. | |
| France wants to withdraw its estimated 4,000 troops from Mali next month. | France wants to withdraw its estimated 4,000 troops from Mali next month. |
| Troops from several West African countries have been deploying to Mali to take over from the French-led mission in the run-up to elections due in July. | Troops from several West African countries have been deploying to Mali to take over from the French-led mission in the run-up to elections due in July. |