Top ten reasons why sharia is bad for all societies: France says military goal is 'total reconquest of Mali
The International Community must join African and France's operations in Mali. We do not need more failed states like Somali in Africa. Failed states require more foreign aid( military and development assistance) from developed countries. They are safe haven of terrorists. There is no place on Earth for groups which stone women to death, hit their wives, crucify and mutilate their own people, execute homosexuals, etc.
France says military goal is 'total reconquest of Mali'
By AFP | AFP – 39 minutes ago
AFP/AFP - A French helicopter lands near the city of Niono, on January 20, 2013. French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Sunday the end goal of France's military action in Mali was to retake control …more
A French soldier flashes a victory sign as he stand atop a French tank in Niono, …
French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Sunday the end goal of France's military action in Mali was to retake control of the whole country from Islamist militants who have seized the north.
"The goal is the total reconquest of Mali. We will not leave any pockets" of resistance, Le Drian said on France 5 television.
"The goal is to ensure that AFISMA, the African force, can take the baton from our own intervention," he said.
Asked if French forces could move as far north as Timbuktu, Le Drian indicated that it was up to African forces to get there first.
"If necessary, the African forces can appeal for support from French forces when they arrive in Timbuktu," he said.
Le Drian also said Malian forces had not yet been able to retake the town of Diabaly, seized nearly a week ago by Islamists and then heavily bombed by French planes.
"At this moment the city of Diabaly has not yet been retaken by Malian forces," he said, adding, the situation there should improve "in the hours to come".
"The Malian army with the support of French ground forces are approaching Diabaly," the minister said.