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‘A Terrorist State at the Doorstep of France and Europe’: French Troops Drive Back Al Qaeda-Linked Militants in Mali

Jan. 12, 2013 9:52am Madeleine Morgenstern

In this Nov. 24, 2012 photo, soldiers from a Malian army special unit sit atop pick-ups, following a training exercise in the Barbe military zone, in Mopti, Mali. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Friday, Jan. 11, 2013 that France, Senegal and Nigeria have responded to an appeal from Mali’s President Dioncounda Traore for help to counter an offensive by al-Qaida-linked militants who control the northern half of the country and are heading south. The U.N. chief said that assisting the Malian defense forces push back against the Islamist armed groups is “very important.” (AP)

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — French airstrikes overnight in Mali drove back Islamist rebels from a key city and destroyed a militant command center, the French defense minister said Saturday, as West African nations authorized the immediate deployment of troops to the country.

The al-Qaida-linked militants, who have carved out their own territory in the lawless desert region of northern Mali over the past nine months, recently pressed closer to a major base of the Malian army, dramatically raising the stakes in the battle for the vast West African nation.

“The threat is a terrorist state at the doorstep of France and Europe,” said French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian.

The French operation, which started Friday in the former French colony, came after an appeal for help from Mali’s president. The fighting involved hundreds of French troops and overnight airstrikes on three rebel targets, said Le Drian. He said a rebel command center outside the key city of Konna was destroyed.

Adm. Edouard Guillaud said a French helicopter had been downed and that the pilot died of his wounds while he was being evacuated to safety.

A military official in Mali said Islamist militants were driven out of Konna, but that the city captured by the extremists earlier this week was not yet under government control.

“We are doing sweeps of the city to find any hidden Islamist extremist elements,” said Lt. Col. Diarran Kone. “The full recovery of the city is too early to determine as we do not yet control the city, and we remain vigilant.”

In this Nov. 24, 2012 photo, soldiers from a Malian army special unit stand atop pick-ups mounted with machine guns, following a training exercise in the Barbe military zone, in Mopti, Mali. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Friday, Jan. 11, 2013, that France, Senegal and Nigeria have responded to an appeal from Mali’s President Dioncounda Traore for help to counter an offensive by al-Qaida-linked militants who control the northern half of the country and are heading south. The U.N. chief said that assisting the Malian defense forces push back against the Islamist armed groups is “very important.” (AP)

Sanda Abou Mohamed, spokesman for Islamist group Ansar Dine, told The Associated Press he could not confirm if his fighters were still in Konna. “I cannot tell you if our fighters are still in the city of Konna or if they are not, because since yesterday afternoon I have not had contact with them as the telephone network has been down in this zone,” Mohamed said Saturday.

In a statement released Saturday, ECOWAS commission president Kadre Desire Ouedraogo said the bloc had authorized the immediate deployment of troops to Mali. He said they made the decision “in light of the urgency of the situation.”

ECOWAS did not say how many troops would be sent to Mali or when they would arrive. It also did not specify which countries from the 15-nation bloc would be providing the forces.

ECOWAS has been talking for months about a military operation to oust the Islamists from northern Mali. While the U.N. approved a plan for deployment, it had not been expected until September.

Al-Qaida’s affiliate in Africa has been a shadowy presence for years in the forests and deserts of Mali, a country hobbled by poverty and a relentless cycle of hunger. Most Malians adhere to a moderate form of Islam.

In recent months, however, the terrorist group and its allies have taken advantage of political instability, taking territory they are using to stock weapons and train forces.

Turbaned fighters control major towns in the north, carrying out amputations in public squares just as the Taliban did. And as in Afghanistan, they are flogging women for not covering up. Since taking control of Timbuktu, they have destroyed seven of the 16 mausoleums listed as world heritage sites.

French President Francois Hollande said the “terrorist groups, drug traffickers and extremists” in northern Mali “show a brutality that threatens us all.” He vowed that the operation would last “as long as necessary.”

France said it was taking the action in Mali at the request of President Dioncounda Traore, who declared a state of emergency because of the militants’ advance.

France’s President Francois Hollande delivers a speech on the situation in Mali at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Friday, Jan. 11, 2013. French forces began backing Malian soldiers Friday in their fight against radical Islamists, drawing the former colonial power into a military operation to oust the al-Qaida-linked militants nine months after they seized control of northern Mali. French President Francois Hollande said that the operation would last “as long as necessary” and said it was aimed notably at protecting the 6,000 French citizens in Mali. Kidnappers currently hold seven French hostages in the country. (AP)

Hollande has said the operation is aimed in part at protecting the 6,000 French citizens in Mali, where seven of them already are being held captive.

Separately, French commandoes attacked an Islamist base in Somalia in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue a French intelligence agent held hostage. The agent and a French soldier were killed, and a French soldier was missing, Le Drian said. But the man’s Islamist kidnappers said the hostage was alive and that a French soldier had been captured as well.

The raid early Saturday in Somalia could have been aimed at preventing al-Shabab fighters from harming the kidnapped French security official in reprisal for the French military intervention in Mali. Le Drian said 17 Islamist fighters were killed in the failed raid.

An al-Shabab official confirmed the fighting and said the group held one dead French soldier. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.

France has led a diplomatic push for international action in northern Mali, but efforts to get an African-led force together, or to train the weak Malian army, have dragged on.

The United Nations Security Council has condemned the capture of Konna and urged U.N. member states to assist Mali “in order to reduce the threat posed by terrorist organizations and associated groups.”

Late last year, the 15 nations in West Africa, including Mali, agreed on a proposal for the military to take back the north, and sought backing from the U.N.

The Security Council authorized the intervention but imposed certain conditions. Those include the training of Mali’s military, which has been accused of serious human rights abuses since a military coup last year sent the nation into disarray.

The fighting Wednesday and Thursday for Konna represents the first clashes between Malian government forces and the Islamists in nearly a year, since the militants seized the northern cities of Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu. Konna is just 45 miles (70 kilometers) north of the government-held town of Mopti, a strategic port city along the Niger River.

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Comments (79)

friedclouds
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 3:02pm
ECOWAS….throw in that acronym right in the middle of the article and never define it. Nice journalism, Blaze. How tough would it be to say “The Economic Community of West African States” one time?

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- Leader1776
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 3:50pm
  That isn’t about good journalism, but, rather, good editing. They are close to incompetent.
  
  Report this comment
ares338
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 1:41pm
Too bad France….you invited Islam into your bed now enjoy the stench!!!

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- WildschweinJager
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 2:58pm
  It’s the arab chicks..they can’t help it. The arab chicks are hot in France!
  
  Report this comment
- savagenatn
  Posted on January 13, 2013 at 4:44am
  but let’s not forget…they’re soooo peaceful just ask barry
  
  Report this comment
PAUL GULLO
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 1:28pm
Judging by the picture’s Mali looks like a wonderfully diverse country.

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- hatchetjob
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 1:45pm
  And peaceful, I’m booking a flight to go there today.
  
  Report this comment
thegreatcarnac
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 12:58pm
I am neutral when it comes to France. They go their own way and then expect help when they didn’t give any. However I have met a few of the Legionaires and was impressed. The French Foreign Legion is on par with any of the great fighting teams on earth. THe trouble with France is their government….just like our trouble in American is obama. Paris is like NYC and D.C…..eat up with liberals. THe rest of the country….not so much.

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- cmonnow
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 8:29pm
  what the heck are you talking about ?! French troops have participated quite a bit in Afghanistan. your comment is both disrespectful and ignorant.
  
  Report this comment
- Trail_Jumper
  Posted on January 13, 2013 at 6:16am
  I had the chance to work alongside a French Foreign Legionnaire marksman some years back when I was still active. They are extremely tough fighters. I wish them luck in their fight, they are certainly trained for that geography.
  
  Report this comment
- G-WHIZ
  Posted on January 13, 2013 at 10:54am
  Donna forget what the OBAMSM WANTS-Y’A TA BELEIVE!! OBAMSM feeds y’a SMOKESCREEEN of “ooh..lookie da 1 person ata theater dies!!” when there are 150million+people inda U.S.A!! “Oh..lookie duh 2000-DIE OF FLU” IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY OF 150,000…ITSA EPPIDEMIC or PANDEMIC!!! “QUICK..ONLY DA-GOVT WILL HELP YOU!!”
  The NAZIS: “Quick!! geton this train it will take you to safety!!”
  
  Report this comment
freedomisasfreedomdoes
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 12:56pm
While one Rome burns, another version forms?

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- Lord_Frostwind
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 4:39pm
  “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”
  
  Or
  
  “SSDD” Same S*** Different Day
  
  Report this comment
flypantherfan
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 12:23pm
I have created a new petition to make The Blaze the official website of The United States of America. Sign it at https://petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/make-blaze-official-website-united-states-america/qVz9Qqv4 I know every The Blaze fan wants Obama to respond to this petition. It needs 25,000 signatures by February 11, 2013 so do not wait if you want to sign it.

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- PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 5:41pm
  FLY – that’s a bad idea. Not wise to put your name on any government list – especially a petition – even though they are all the rage these days. Beck even advises against such as foolish. Good though but wrong Administration.
  
  Report this comment
- cdn1979
  Posted on January 13, 2013 at 10:27am
  you’re an id1ot!
  
  Report this comment
DadRocked
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 11:42am
France, England, United States of America and the other countries say live and let live.
These ‘bad guys’ get the nod that all is ok to proceed as planned.
Then wonder why they proceeded as planned.

STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES…

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- Walkabout
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 12:26pm
  This is blow back from obama’s great Libyan adventure. Weapons to take over northern Mali came from the armories in Libya. Around 1/2 of the manpower to take over northern Mali came from Tuaregs formerly in Qaddaffi’s employ.
  
  obama shattered a country & cause this mass movement of people. Qaddaffi has not been a threat to the U.S. since 2003.
  
  But “I Claudius” obama needed a military victory.
  
  Report this comment
Gonzo
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 11:25am
Guess they will need to raise the top tax rate to 85% to pay for it.

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TIMEBOMB
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 11:05am
This is a minor setback for my brothers but rest assured my brothers will continue their assault globally.

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Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:51am
Obama just opened the gates to afganistan again. The World is their oyster. Iraq will fall within 2 years. Israel will be surrounded. Check this with the middle East as opposed to obama08. This war was nearly over. Obama has set us back pre-1980.

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- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 11:11am
  Obama has managed to set us back even more than that, he has allowed for the Caliphate to be all but a full scale reality as of this year.
  
  Look at the overall pattern, the terror groups he has helped have been at work in lands once held as European colonies, and given Obama’s anti-colonial hatred for his narrow-minded interpretation of history, he sees this as ‘correcting’ a grave historic injustice. Even the elimination of Israel he sees as the ‘correcting’ of the Jewish people being ‘colonized’ against the Arab will and wishes by the British and America, despite that the original land of Israel and Palestine (absorbed by Jordan) came from a UN Mandate.
  
  That is the one thing all too many people fail to see about Obama, he is one seeking to ‘correct’ the wrong he perceives this nation has been linked to for centuries, and in the process duly punish all of us for ‘the sins (as he sees them) of our ancestors’
  
  Report this comment
- Walkabout
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 11:52am
  Iraq will not fall to Al Qaeda.
  
  I know this because Iran & the Shia militia will not allow it. The Sunni province (Al Anbar) might become ungovernable & the north might see more sectarian conflict.
  
  If the current Iranian government falls, I will rethink whether Iraq will significantly ran by Al Qaeda. Even then I think what would happen is that Iraq would break up into 3 pieces with Al Qaeda at most ruling one piece (only if they succeed in murdering the Sunni sheikhs, which they are willing to do).
  
  Report this comment
- Chet Hempstead
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 7:01pm
  That’s not how you spell Gandhi.
  
  Report this comment
- Sol Invictus
  Posted on January 13, 2013 at 2:18pm
  Chet – you don’t understand, this is not THAT Gandhi, this refers to HANK Ghandi who was a (failed) Jerusalem bacon salesman. He was a republican, whereas Gandhi was of course a socialist.
  
  Report this comment
13th Imam
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:49am
Most of France has an islamic front within it’s cities NOW. So does America. Al-Gore- Quada is mixed into our country, and Executive Branch, NOW

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- mercenary4freedom
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 1:39pm
  What, you mean obama hasn’t recognized al qaida as the legitimate representative of the Malian people?? hmmm, thats weird.
  
  Good luck Frenchie, they have a whole lotta guns from obama.
  
  Its only going to escalate for the French, then we’ll get sucked in. There are already CIA & SF there.
  
  The only thing there in that vast wasteland is oil and some minerals in the ground.
  
  Algeria is also a powderkeg.
  
  Report this comment
- Leader1776
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 3:43pm
  @ 13th IMAM
  Since the sale of Current TV Al Gore wishes to be referred to as (similar to other pop-stars such as J-Lo) ……….. Al-Jay. Of course, for Al-Jazeera.
  
  Report this comment
ofass
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:41am
Do you say that there is another Muslim problem in the world and the Zionist/Israelis/Jews are not involved in it? How come? It is not possible…

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searching for the Truth
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:35am
Let’s see the French – they joined in the Indian Wars in the early part of America; England, they fought us in the early stage as well. Let’s see the Spanish, well they fought us too. Maybe, the Chinese? No, that War was in Korea and Nam. Well, folks looks like all we have is Israel !

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- Walkabout
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:55am
  Charles De Gaulle was a pain in the arse. Ditto for most French presidents. They did a semi pullout out of NATO but they later reintegrated. The French Germans, Italians & British could not do squat about the 4 wars resulting from the break up of Yugoslavia & that was in their back yard & they had a large interest in the outcome. Not a very stellar record.
  
  However the French (Foreign Legion?) did save Chad from being over run in the 1980s. Qaddaffi fomented a civil war so he could steal the Azou Strip. the French put him in check. In the past they have generally kept things on an even keel in West Africa, but they only go in if asked. The wouldn’t go against the Union of African States.
  
  It won;t do for the French to win the war. They need to put Al Qaeda in check & then train the Malians to win. The Malian soldiers have the will, they just don’t have the equipment. If the Malians do the heavy lifting, it will help their morale tremendously & squash that of Al Qaeda.
  
  Ya, the French have to be there but they should do as little as possible & let the Malians take the lead,
  
  Report this comment
woodyee
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:29am
Oh, lawdy! Dis heah website is gibben me da vapors!

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- mercenary4freedom
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 1:56pm
  NSA has it tapped.
  
  Report this comment
Voice1percent
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:28am
You are right, however, it won’t happen. I’ve been throughout DC buildings, these muslims are riddled throughout our government. You mentioned their “goat humping god” America has bowed down to the “abortion god” after murdering 53MM innocents we as a nation do not have enough citizens to fill in the job ranks. We unfortunately will fall, it is evident all around us especially these last four years. It is only matter of time. Once these muslims have nukes and I surmise they have them already but perhaps are obtaining more for our total destruction. After 911 we should have nuked the Saudis, Iraqis, and Iranians…….. obviously a lack of cojones somewhere.

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- barber2
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 6:35pm
  Yes. Truman and McCarthy were born too soon …
  
  Report this comment
woodyee
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:27am
Have you noticed, your most flamboyant of puppets, that after the site logs us off, the comment counter shows “0″, regardless of the number of comments posted?

Something tells me the problem may be linked to the change – but what do I know…I’m just a color-commentator…

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- civilwarcometh
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:58am
  Hey WOOD did you just use the race card? >>>>color-commentator…
  
  Report this comment
americansfightingforcommonsense
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:26am
Just wait. POTUS will try to take our guns that he will then want to hand over to Militants Around the World.

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woodyee
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:24am
There’s been fighting in Mali against Obama’s Al-Qaeda allies, and we’re just now hearing about it? France has just gone to war against friends of Obama. I suppose that if Obama comes to the defense of the Mali rebels, WE’LL have to come to the aid of France!

Never thought I’d see the day when such a train of thought would be possible, comprenez-vous ?

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Voice1percent
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:14am
Fact: muslim goal worldwide domination; Fact: muslims declared global jihad a long time ago; Fact: America is target number 1 for muslims; Fact: American government both elected and beaurocrats refuse to recognize the muslim threat; Fact: Saudis behind global jihad; Fact: muslims fear a fully legally armed American citizenry; Fact: previous attempts by globalists and their muslim army to create havoc in America have failed; Fact: since recent election for president “someone” has decided to focus random acts of violence against our children to create anti-gun legislation; Fact: current American president and surrounding advisors are muslim sympathizers; Fact: current American president and surrounding advisors along with certain state governors are aggressively attempting to disarm Americans when the “America YOU fill in the rest!

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- Voice1percent
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:16am
  Gosh these are exciting times so I type too fast: Fact: current American president and surrounding advisors along with certain state governors are aggressively attempting to disarm Americans when we need to be armed for what is coming….. “America YOU fill in the rest!
  
  Report this comment
- Voice1percent
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:18am
  Hmmm third time of trying to correct and fill in the rest yet to no avail: I meant Fact: current American president and surrounding advisors along with certain state governors are aggressively attempting to disarm Americans when we most need to be armed…… “America YOU fill in the rest!
  
  Report this comment
BlackCrow
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:09am
Been to Mexico lately?

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thibx
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:08am
you invite the muslims in treat them like they are gods, what the hell do you think is going to happen. you brain dead people are unreal.

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bikerdogred1
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:07am
Be worried because this is where the French are going to leave you.Their motto,you fight we run.

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- friedclouds
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 2:55pm
  Someone (Patton) said: ” Going to war with the French is like going deer hunting with an accordion.”
  Another notable one said, ” I’d rather have the German army in front of me than the French army behind me”
  I could go on and on…
  
  Report this comment
RJJinGadsden
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:03am
To the blaze, you guys need to get off your dead asses and get this site fixed, and asap. This is disgusting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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- progressiveslayer
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:16am
  I’m having problems to,posts not showing up and getting logged out all the time,it sucks.
  
  Report this comment
- woodyee
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:18am
  Good morning, RJJ! I’m having problems, too. I post something and the site automatically kicks me off. What I do then is click on the Sign-In link, and when it takes me to the sign-in page, voila! I’m already signed in! I then have to click on “The Stories” and scroll to the place I was before. Strangley, I’ll find my commented posted, after all! WEIRD!
  
  Also, I can watch all video posted on the Blaze EXCEPT those from Media-ite – I have to go to the Media website to watch them!
  
  Could it be hackers trying to break in?
  
  Report this comment
- progressiveslayer
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:24am
  Woodyee Are you using FF? In FF I keep getting logged off so I click on ‘Back to the Blaze’ and I’m still logged on. I switched to IE and I’m not having the logged off automatically anymore,they have lots of issues that need fixing that’s for sure.
  
  Report this comment
- Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 11:05am
  @Progressive:
  
  FireFox is having some problems with TheBlaze site as is Google Chrome from time to time, it may be a browser problem for all of us using FF, IE seems to be working fine at this point.
  
  Report this comment
- Crazy-Horse
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 11:54am
  IE9 testing the log issue;
  
  Report this comment
- Crazy-Horse
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 11:56am
  IE9 is even worse. Takes forever to even get bacl to the main blaze page.
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 12:02pm
  Trying different updates = ?
  
  Report this comment
- Crazy-Horse
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 12:45pm
  IE8 testing the log issue;
  
  Report this comment
- Crazy-Horse
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 12:49pm
  IE8 had no issue…. 2nd IE8 test
  
  Report this comment
- Crazy-Horse
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 1:01pm
  Internet Explorer 8 is NOT having the logon issue after posting.
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 1:06pm
  Hi Crazy-Horse,
  “Internet Explorer 8 is NOT having the logon issue after posting.’
  
  Thanks, I’ll send that in !!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- Crazy-Horse
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 1:24pm
  Anytime Monk.
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 1:42pm
  Ran MS updates…. test.
  
  Report this comment
RJJinGadsden
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:01am
test

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- Walkabout
  Posted on January 12, 2013 at 12:03pm
  “ECOWAS has been talking for months about a military operation to oust the Islamists from northern Mali. While the U.N. approved a plan for deployment, it had not been expected until September.”
  
  So the UN approved a plan that had the target date of 8 months from now? That is moving with alacrity, when the situation is critical.
  
  NOT!
  
  So what use is the UN?
  
  Report this comment
poorrichard09
Posted on January 12, 2013 at 10:00am
0bama must be thrilled that his mooslum brothers are going for another country for the caliphate.

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