The confirmation from Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian came a
day after a top U.N. official warned of mass atrocities and
possible civil war in one of the world's poorest countries,
which has been in turmoil since rebel groups joined forces in
March and overthrew the president. The rebels have been accused
by rights groups of committing scores of atrocities including
killings, rapes and conscription of child soldiers.
"It's in
collapse and we cannot have a country fall apart like that.
There is the violence, massacres and humanitarian chaos that
follow a collapse," Le Drian told Europe 1 radio. "It will be a
short mission to allow calm and stability to return."
France has about 2,800 troops in Mali, an operation that
began after rebels and al-Qaida linked militants moved to take
over the capital last winter, but Le Drian dismissed any
comparisons between the two missions.
"In Mali there was an attack of jihadists, terrorists who
wanted to transform Mali into a terrorist state. This is a
collapse of a country with a potential for religious clashes,"
he said. "France has international responsibilities."
France will accompany an African force of troops from
neighboring countries, in a mission expected to last about six
months, Le Drian said.
