Qatar makes its debut in the Sahel
Acting Malian President Dioncounda Traoré, yesterday flew to Doha (Qatar), said the office of the President. A Special Qatari aircraft was at the disposal of Interim President of Mali to transport the Head of State and the accompanying delegation.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Qatar-makes-its...
Qatar's ambassador to Mali who also holds the post of chargé d'affaires at Qatar Nouakchott was also on the flight, Le Temps d'Algerie reports.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar and the interim President of mali willdiscuss the situation inMali and the regional security situation. four months ago four Qatari officials visited Mali in addition tothe international Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to assess local needs.
President Traore's visit to Qatar as his call for Ecowas military intervention to dislodge armed islamic groups now appears to be getting underway following the UN's latest intervention.In addition, the French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, said yesterday that military action against AQIM in northern Mali calls for "seasoned troops" and will be "difficult." "The UN and Europe have given permission to assist the training of Malian troops, it can start now," said the head of French diplomacy on Europe 1 and I-Tele.
The Malian troops can be the attacking force the Minister said and this might not necessarily mean conflict with AQIM who hold Timbuktu,Gao and Kidal, but if conflict ensued thenit would require "seasoned troops", he said.The Minister affirmed that it was a conflict for African forces and that France and Europe will not intervene although they will supply logistic support and intellegence gathering.
Asked about the position of Algeria while preparing military intervention close to its borders, Fabiussaid that there was agreement on two principles: "To preserve the integrity of Malian territory" and engage in discussions "with Tuareg groups who refuse to accept terrorism and the integrity of Mali. " "There are a lot of similarities between Algerians, Africans and us. Services and our work together, "he said.
Le Temps d'Algerie recalls that Qatar played a major role in the conflict in Libya to overthrow Colonel Gaddafi.
It provided military support and weapons to the opposition.Many weapons used in the Libyan conflict found their way to Mali, the paper recalls.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Emir of Qatar and the interim President of mali willdiscuss the situation inMali and the regional security situation. four months ago four Qatari officials visited Mali in addition tothe international Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to assess local needs.
President Traore's visit to Qatar as his call for Ecowas military intervention to dislodge armed islamic groups now appears to be getting underway following the UN's latest intervention.In addition, the French Foreign Minister, Laurent Fabius, said yesterday that military action against AQIM in northern Mali calls for "seasoned troops" and will be "difficult." "The UN and Europe have given permission to assist the training of Malian troops, it can start now," said the head of French diplomacy on Europe 1 and I-Tele.
The Malian troops can be the attacking force the Minister said and this might not necessarily mean conflict with AQIM who hold Timbuktu,Gao and Kidal, but if conflict ensued thenit would require "seasoned troops", he said.The Minister affirmed that it was a conflict for African forces and that France and Europe will not intervene although they will supply logistic support and intellegence gathering.
Asked about the position of Algeria while preparing military intervention close to its borders, Fabiussaid that there was agreement on two principles: "To preserve the integrity of Malian territory" and engage in discussions "with Tuareg groups who refuse to accept terrorism and the integrity of Mali. " "There are a lot of similarities between Algerians, Africans and us. Services and our work together, "he said.
Le Temps d'Algerie recalls that Qatar played a major role in the conflict in Libya to overthrow Colonel Gaddafi.
It provided military support and weapons to the opposition.Many weapons used in the Libyan conflict found their way to Mali, the paper recalls.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Qatar-makes-its...