Timbuktu: France works on exit of forces
2013-02-04 13:21
Paris - France is working to "very quickly" withdraw its forces
from Timbuktu, Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Monday, without making
clear if the troops would be sent further into the north of Mali.
"We want to be rapidly relieved by the Afisma African forces in the
cities that we hold," Fabius told France Inter radio.
In Timbuktu a withdrawal "could take place very quickly, we are working
on it", he said.
French forces are holding Timbuktu and other northern cities following a
lightning advance against Islamists rebels who had taken control of Mali's vast
desert north last year.
Officials have said the rebels have likely fled to mountainous terrain
around the northeastern city of Kidal, the last bastion of the armed
extremists.
France said it carried out major air strikes Sunday near Kidal, but Fabius
did not answer when asked if the strikes were aimed at preparing for an
eventual French-led ground assault.
"It is about destroying their rear bases, their depots," he said.
