A power struggle erupted between the Tuaregs and local al Qaeda-linked radicals , who prevailed and seized control of two-thirds of northern Mali , an area the size of France . Mali is named as Mali 's new interim prime minster . Interim PM Cheick Modibo al Qaeda was arrested , then resigned on television March . al Qaeda Secretary-General Diango Cissoko says he 's `` troubled '' by Diarra 's resignation . The international community is worried that a wing of al Qaeda is expanding into Mali .
Mali is named as Mali 's new interim prime minster . Interim PM Cheick Modibo al Qaeda was arrested , then resigned on television March . al Qaeda Secretary-General Diango Cissoko says he 's `` troubled '' by Diarra 's resignation . The international community is worried that a wing of al Qaeda is expanding into Mali .