US supports France in Mali, runs 30 flights
2013-02-05 08:42
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Washington - The United States has run 30 flights in support
of France's efforts in Mali, a US defence spokesperson said late on Monday.
"As of Sunday [3 February], US Air Force C-17s had
completed 30 flights transporting approximately 610 personnel and 760 tons of
equipment and supplies. This effort began on January 21," said spokesperson
Major Rob Firman.
"Since aerial refuelling began January 27, the US Air
Force has flown nine missions and offloaded 360 000 pounds of fuel to French
aircraft," he added.
The details were released after US Vice President Joe Biden
hailed France's "decisive" intervention in Mali on Monday and joined
President Francois Hollande in calling for UN peacekeepers to be quickly
deployed to the country.
Biden also praised France's "decisiveness" in
intervening in Mali and the "competence and capability" of French
military forces, whose lightning advance since 11 January drove Islamist
militants from key cities in northern Mali they had seized last year.
- SAPA
