Britain will provide France with logistical military assistance during its intervention in Mali, but will not deploy any personnel in a combat role, the prime minister’s office said Saturday.
“The Prime Minister has agreed that the UK will provide logistical military assistance to help transport foreign troops and equipment quickly to Mali,” David Cameron’s office said in a statement.
It later confirmed to AFP that two military transport planes would be sent to the restive West African country.
According to a statement about a telephone conversation between Cameron and French President Francois Hollande on Saturday, the two leaders “also agreed that the peacekeeping mission from West African countries needs to be strongly supported by countries in the region and deployed as quickly as possible”.
The pair discussed the need to work with the Malian government, regional neighbours and international partners “to prevent a new terrorist haven developing on Europe’s doorstep”.
They also stressed the need to “reinvigorate the UN-led political process,” according to the release.
“The National Security Council, which was already due to meet on Tuesday, will now consider the situation in Mali and discuss what needs to be done to secure a lasting political settlement in Mali,” it added.
France sent its air force on Friday to help Malian troops hold back a rebel advance towards the capital Bamako, and on Saturday Paris announced that a French military pilot had been killed.
Britain to provide France with logistical support in Mali
