Hollande says France will begin Mali withdrawal in AprilMarch 7, 2013 - 09:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - French President Francois Hollande has said his country will begin withdrawing troops from Mali next month, according to BBC News. He said the final phase of military intervention would continue throughout March and be scaled down in April. The campaign in the north had killed "terrorist leaders", Hollande said without giving any names. A French soldier and 10 rebels were also killed during the clashes, 60 miles (100km) east of the town of Gao, defense officials said. There have been four French deaths since military operations began on January 11. Speaking in Warsaw, Hollande said: "The terrorist kingpins have been destroyed," though it was not immediately clear if he was referring to two leaders reported dead last week. Chad had said its soldiers, fighting alongside the French troops, killed two top militant commanders, Abdelhamid Abou Zeid from al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and veteran Islamist leader Mokhtar Belmokhtar. The French have so far not confirmed these reports. Some 4,000 French troops are present in the West African state. Mali's army and troops from several African countries, including 2,000 from Chad, have also been involved in the fighting. France had initially said that troop numbers would decrease from March if all went according to plan. On Wednesday, Hollande said that the "final phase" of the French intervention "will last through March and from April there will be a decrease in the number of French soldiers in Mali as African forces will take over, supported by the Europeans". Islamist rebels took control of northern Mali a year ago after a military coup in the capital Bamako, in the south. France intervened militarily in January amid fears the rebels were preparing to advance on Bamako. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Scholz hopes Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty will be signed this year German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hopes that a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan will be signed this year. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. |