Mali

British defense secretary arrives in Mali

22 May 2013

BAMAKO, Mali, May 22 (UPI) -- British Defense Secretary Phillip Hammond said he's seen key improvements in the ability of Malian forces to take on Islamic militants.

EU mission seeks to rebuild Mali army after U.S. faltered

22 May 2013

By David Lewis KOULIKORO, Mali (Reuters) - Under a blazing sun and the critical gaze of British and Irish instructors, a line of 11 Malian soldiers lie prone in the dust firing AK-47 rounds at targets, one-by-one. "One out of 10 - not very good," Captain Ibrahim Soumassa, commander of the Malian unit, tells one of the men. "We're at 25 meters. When we're at 100, it'll be difficult." A European ...

Mali conference declared a success

21 May 2013

BRUSSELS, May 21 (UPI) -- Last week's donor conference for Malian reconstruction exceeded expectations set by leading delegates, Malian and European leaders said Tuesday.