Al Qarra - Ecowas defense chiefs met in Bamako this Tuesday. The objective: to approve and accelerate the deployment of African troops, mandated by the UN resolution, adding to the 2,500 French soldiers already on the ground.<br /><br />Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and Guinea have all agreed to send troops to Mali.<br /><br />Their immediate mission: to help stop the advance of the rebels, while preparations continue for a more comprehensive plan to retake the north of the country.<br /><br />The French ambassador to the UN, Gerard Araud, on Monday called for an acceleration in the deployment of African forces to support the Malian army.
