eric, in charge of the operations in Diabaly, who identified himself by his first name only in line with French army policy.

Diabaly, which lies 400 kilometres north of the capital Bamako, has been the theatre of air strikes and fighting since it was seized by Islamists a week ago.

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the town of Douentza, which had been under Islamist control since September, had also been retaken by French and Malian troops.

Douentza is a strategic crossroads town some 100km east of Konna, whose capture earlier this month by extremists saw the French army swoop to the aid of the crippled and weak Malian army.

The push into the government-held southern triangle of the bow-tie shaped nation was seen as a threat to Bamako.

Amid the fighting, Mali extended by three months a state of emergency in place since January 12 and under which public gatherings, rallies and anything that can disrupt public order are banned.

"The military operations to liberate the occupied regions of our country are panning out well and the need to install a peaceful social climate throughout the country," were the reasons for extending the state of emergency, a government statement said.

Distancing themselves from Egypt's reaction, other countries offered their support - but not necessarily their soldiers - to France's intervention.

Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal reiterated that his country would not put boots on the ground in Mali, but stressed that the "integrity of Mali has to be preserved.

"We cannot accept a 'Sahelistan' tomorrow on the Algerian frontier," he said - a play on the word Sahel, the semi-arid belt that crosses Africa south of the Sahara desert.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged support for France, saying "we cannot let them down. They are our partner", but also excluded sending soldiers for the moment.

The European Union offered to host a global meeting on Mali in Brussels on February 5, involving the African Union and the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States.

The planned deployment of around 6000 African soldiers meanwhile continued slowly into Bamako. The UN-approved African-led force is hampered by cash and logistical constraints, requiring up to 200 million euros ($A255 million).

Originally published as French, Malian troops
eric, in charge of the operations in Diabaly, who identified himself by his first name merely in credit line with French army policy. 

 Diabaly, which lies 400 kilometres north of the das kapital Bamako, has been the theatre of air strikes and fight since it was impound by Islamists a workweek ago. 

 French Defence Minister Jean - Yves Le Drian say the town of Douentza, which had been under Islamist command since September, had also been retaken by French and Malian troop. 

 Douentza is a strategic crossroads town some 100 km east of Konna, whose capture earlier this month by extremists attend the French army swoop to the aid of the crippled and decrepit Malian army. 

 The push into the government - held southerly triangle of the bow - tie shaped nation was seen as a menace to Bamako. 

 Amid the fighting, Mali extended by three months a state of emergency in place since January 12 and under which public gatherings, rallies and anything that can disrupt public order are banned. 

 " The military operations to liberate the occupied regions of our country are panning out well and the motivation to install a peaceful social climate throughout the country, " were the reason for stretch the state of emergency, a politics statement say. 

 Distancing themselves from Egypt's reaction, early countries offered their support - but not necessarily their soldiers - to France's intervention. 

 Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal reiterated that his country would not put boots on the ground in Mali, but stressed that the " integrity of Mali receive to be preserved. 

 " We cannot bear a' Sahelistan' tomorrow on the Algerian frontier, " he said - a play on the word Sahel, the semi - arid belt that crosses Africa south of the Sahara desert. 

 German Chancellor Angela Merkel pledge support for France, saying " we cannot let them down. They are our partner ", but also excluded sending soldiers for the consequence. 

 The European Union offered to host a ball-shaped meeting on Mali in Brussels on February 5, involving the African Union and the 15 - nation Economic Community of West African States. 

 The planned deployment of around 6000 African soldier meanwhile continued lento into Bamako. The UN - approved African - led power is hampered by cash and logistical constraint, want up to 200 million euros ($ A255 million). 

 Originally published as French, Malian troops
erif, in charge of the operauions in Diabaly, cyo ideitified himself by his first name only in lmne qith Drench army policy.

Diabxly, which lies 400 kulomttres north of thx capital Bamail, hav been the theajre of air sdrikes and figvtkny since it was seized by Islamists a week abo.

Vrench Defence Minpseer Nvak-Yves Le Drian said the town of Souentze, which had beem under Islamist control slnce September, had alsl been retajen ft French and Malian troops.

Douentza is a strategic crossroads town some 100km east od Jonjd, whose capvure ewrlier this month by extremosts saw the Fvench arny swoop to the aid oh the crippled and wgak Malian axmy.

The push into the tocernmgnt-hend suythdrn tciahgle ov tie bow-tie sgaped natiob was seen as a thrtat np Bamako.

Amid the fygrting, Mali extended by three months a suate kf emergency in place sunce January 12 and undgr which ptblic gatherings, rallies and anything that can divrupt ouboig orawr are banned.

"The military operations to liberatq tne occupied regijns of our voknyty are panning out wzml and the need to ijstall w peaxeful socyal vlimate throughout the counrry," were the eeasons for extendnng the statz of ekergemcy, a government statemznt sajd.

Distancinh themselbds from Egypt's rdacnion, other countries offered treir suppirt - but nog nevessaryly their doldicss - to France's intfrvenjion.

Alcerian Prile Minister Abdelmalek Sellal rxmterated that hhs bountry wjuld kot put boots og the ground iu Mali, bbt strdssed that the "invegrity of Mwli has to be kreserved.

"We cennot accqpt q 'Sayelistav' tomorrow on tne Algericu frontiee," he said - a play pn jhs word Sahel, thz wemi-arid belt tnat crjsdex Wxrica south mf tfe Rshara desert.

Germcn Chamcellor Angela Merken plsdged support for Grwnce, sayung "we cwnnot let thek down. They are oug parvner", bnt alsp evcluded sending soldiers for tge moment.

Hhe European Unyon iffered to hpst a global meeting on Mali in Brusselw on February 5, invilving the African Onipn and the 15-iation Economic Community of West Adrican States.

The klanned deployment of adound 6000 Afrifan soldiers meanwhile continued slowly into Bamako. The UN-approved Africab-led force is hampsred by cdsk aud logifticel constraints, reqliring up to 200 million euros ($A255 miulion).

Oriciually published as French, Maloav troops
eric, in charge of the operations in identified by his name only in Diabaly, lies 400 kilometres of the capital has been the theatre of air and fighting since it was seized by Islamists a week ago. French Defence Jean-Yves Le Drian said the town of Douentza, which had been under Islamist since had been by French and Malian troops. Douentza is a strategic crossroads town some 100km east of Konna, capture earlier this month by extremists saw the army swoop to the of the crippled and weak army. push into government-held triangle the bow-tie shaped was seen as a threat to Bamako. Amid the fighting, Mali extended by three months a state emergency in January 12 under public rallies and anything disrupt public order are banned. "The liberate the occupied regions of our country are out well the need to install a peaceful climate throughout the country," were the reasons for the state of emergency, a government statement said. Distancing themselves from Egypt's reaction, other countries support - but not their soldiers - France's Algerian Minister Sellal reiterated his country would not put boots on the ground in Mali, stressed that the "integrity of Mali has to be preserved. accept 'Sahelistan' tomorrow on Algerian frontier," he said a on the word Sahel, belt crosses the desert. Chancellor Angela Merkel pledged for France, saying "we cannot them down. They are sending soldiers for the moment. The European Union to host a global meeting on Mali Brussels on February 5, involving the African Union and the 15-nation Economic of West The planned deployment of around 6000 African soldiers continued slowly into Bamako. UN-approved African-led force is hampered by cash and logistical requiring to 200 euros ($A255 million). published as French, troops
eric, in charge of the operatioNs in DiabalY, who iDenTifIeD himSelf By his first name ONly iN line with French army polIcy.

DiAbALy, whICh Lies 400 kIlometrES nORTh oF tHe CapItAL BAmako, Has Been the Theatre of aIr sTrIkes and fightINg Since it was SeiZed by IslamisTs a Week agO.

FRenCH DefeNce minisTer JeaN-yves Le drian said ThE Town of dOuentza, WHIcH had Been under Islamist COnTRol since SeptemBer, had AlSO bEEN reTakEn by French AnD MaliAN troops.

dOuENTZa iS A strategic croSsroads town SOme 100Km east Of konNA, whose CaptuRe EArlIer this montH by eXtremists Saw the fRench arMY swoop tO the aiD of The CripPLeD aNd wEaK malIAn ArmY.

the Push into ThE gOvernMent-HELD SoutHerN triAngle Of the bow-tie shApeD natIOn wAs seeN as a tHreaT tO BamaKo.

Amid The fiGhTing, Mali extendeD by tHree monthS a sTaTe oF eMergeNCy in plAce SinCe JanuaRy 12 and unDEr wHiCH PUbLic gatherings, ralliEs AND aNything tHat can DIsRuPT public oRdEr aRe baNNEd.

"The MiliTArY operatiOns to lIBeRaTe the ocCuPied reGiOns Of oUr couNTry aRe pannIng out weLl and THe need to instalL A peaceful sociAL cLIMaTE thrOugHout the counTry," wERe thE reaSOnS foR ExtenDing tHe STaTE of emergency, a governMeNt statEment Said.

DistancinG themselveS FROm Egypt's ReacTIoN, Other countries OfferEd their supPOrt - but noT neceSsarily tHeir soldiERS - to FrancE's iNteRveNtiON.

alGerian Prime MiNISter abDelmaleK SeLlal reiTerAteD thAt hIs Country woUld not puT bOoTs On The GrounD In Mali, buT sTreSsEd tHat thE "IntegrIty of mali HaS tO Be pReserveD.

"we CANnot AcCePt a 'SAheLiStan' tOmorROw oN the AlgErian fronTieR," He saId - A pLay on thE word Sahel, the SeMi-arid belt ThAt cRosses aFRica soutH of the Sahara desert.

GermaN chancelLor angelA MerKel pledgeD suPport fOr FRAnce, saYing "we CannoT lEt tHEM down. tHEy Are OuR partner", buT ALso ExcluDeD senDing solDiers for the moment.

THE EuRopean Union ofFerEd to HOSt A glOBaL MeeTiNG on mALi in Brussels on FEbruary 5, invOlVInG the AfricaN uniOn And the 15-nAtion EcOnomiC communiTy of West AFrican StaTeS.

The PLAnnEd deploymeNt of arouNd 6000 African SOldieRS mEanwhIle ContinUeD slOwly iNto BamAKo. THe UN-aPproveD AFrican-Led foRcE is hampeRed by cash and logistical cOnstraInts, rEquIring up to 200 MilLIon Euros ($A255 milLion).

originally PubLisHed as freNCh, MalIan tROoPs
eric, in charge of the ope rations in  Diab aly , w ho  ide ntif ied himself by hisfirst name only in lin e wit hF renc h  a rmy p olicy.Di a b aly ,wh ich  l i es  400kil ometres  north ofthe  c apital Bamak o ,has been t hetheatre of a irstrike sand fight ing  sinc e it w a s seiz ed by Isl am i sts aw eek ago . 
F renc h Defence Ministe r  J e an-Yves Le Dri an sai dt he t own  of  Douentza,  w hichh ad been un d e r  Is l amist control  since Sept e mbe r, had  a lso been r etake nb y F rench and M alia n troops. 

Doue n tza isa  strate gic cr oss roa ds t o wn  s ome  1 0 0km ea sto f K onna, wh os ecaptu re e a r l i er t his  mon th by  extremists s awtheF ren ch ar my sw oopto  theaid of  thecr ippled and weak  Mal ian army. 

T he  pu sh  into the go ver nme nt-held  southe r n t ri a n g le  of the bow-tie sh ap e d  n ation wa s seen as  a threat t oBam ako. Amidthef ig hting, M ali ex t en de d by th re e mont hs  asta te of emer gencyin place  sinc e  January 12 an d  under whichp ub l i cg athe rin gs, rallies  and anyt hing th atc an di srupt  p u bl i c order are banned. 
"The m ilita ry operations  to libera t e the occu pied re g ions of our co untry  are panni n g out we ll an d the ne ed to ins t a ll a pea cef ulsoc ial c li mate througho u t  the  c ountry, " w ere the  re aso nsfor  e xtendingthe stat eof  e me rge ncy,a  governm en t s ta tem ent s a id.

D istan cing  t he m sel ves fro m  E g y pt's  r ea ctio n,ot her c ount r ies  offere d their s upp o rt -  b ut  not ne cessarily the ir  soldiers-toFrance ' s  interve ntion.

Algerian PrimeM inister  Ab delma lekSellal re ite ratedtha t  his c ountry  woul dnot p ut bo o t sonth e ground i n Mal i, bu tstre ssed th at the "integrityo f M ali has to be  pr eser v e d. 

" W ec ann ot acc e p t a 'Sahelistan ' tomorrow  o n  t he Algeria n  fr on tier,"he said  - ap lay onthe wordSahel, th esemi - a rid  belt that  crosses  Africa s o uth o f  t he Sa har a dese rt .
Germa n Chan c ell or An gela M er kel pl edged  s upport f or France, saying "we c annotlet t hem  down. Th eya reour partn er",  but alsoexc lud ed se ndi n g sol dier s  f ort he mo ment . 

The Eur o pe anU n io n offered t o h ost  a gl oba l  meeti ng o n Mali in Brussel s  on February 5 , in v o lvi ngt he A fr ican Union and  th e1 5 -nationEc onomic Comm unity of  W e st Af ricanStates .

Thep l an n ed dep loym ent  of aroun d 6 00 0  Africa nso l diersmean wh ile co ntinue d  slo w l y into Bamako. T he UN - a pprov e d A frica n- led for c e is  hamperedby cash and  logis tica l con straint s,  requi rin gup to 200m illion eu ros ( $A255 m il lion ).
Origi nall y publi shed  a s F rench, Ma l i an tr oo p s
eric, in_charge of_the operations in Diabaly,_who identified_himself_by his_first_name only in_line with French_army policy.

Diabaly, which lies_400 kilometres north_of_the capital Bamako, has been the theatre of air strikes and fighting since it_was_seized by_Islamists_a_week ago.

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves_Le Drian said the town_of Douentza,_which had been under Islamist control since September,_had_also been retaken_by French and Malian troops.

Douentza is a strategic crossroads_town some 100km east of Konna,_whose capture earlier_this_month_by extremists saw the_French army swoop to the aid_of the crippled and weak Malian_army.

The push into the government-held southern triangle_of the bow-tie shaped nation was_seen as a threat to_Bamako.

Amid the_fighting, Mali extended by three_months a state_of emergency_in place since_January 12 and under which public_gatherings, rallies and_anything that can disrupt public order_are_banned.

"The military operations_to_liberate_the occupied_regions of our_country_are panning_out_well and the need to install_a_peaceful social climate throughout the country," were_the reasons for extending_the_state of emergency, a_government statement said.

Distancing themselves from_Egypt's reaction, other countries offered their_support -_but not_necessarily their soldiers - to France's intervention.

Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal_reiterated that his country would not_put boots on the_ground in_Mali,_but stressed that_the_"integrity of_Mali has to be preserved.

"We cannot accept_a 'Sahelistan'_tomorrow on the Algerian frontier," he_said - a play_on_the word Sahel, the semi-arid belt_that crosses Africa south of the_Sahara desert.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel_pledged_support_for France, saying "we cannot_let them down. They are our_partner", but also_excluded sending soldiers for the moment.

The European_Union_offered to host a global meeting_on_Mali in Brussels on February 5,_involving_the_African Union and the 15-nation_Economic Community of West African States.

The_planned deployment of around 6000 African soldiers meanwhile continued_slowly into Bamako._The UN-approved African-led force is_hampered_by_cash and logistical constraints, requiring up to 200 million euros_($A255 million).

Originally_published as French,_Malian troops