The African Union (AU) says it needs a 3,200-strong military force to help the Malian government fight rebels controlling the northern part of the crisis-hit West African country.

During a Wednesday meeting in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, African foreign ministers also agreed to finalize a plan for military intervention in Mali led by African forces by the end of October.

The AU is prepared to ask its members and international partners to supply the Malian Army with weapons and necessary equipment.

Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, the president of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), said that about 3,200 soldiers would be needed for a possible military intervention in northern Mali.


The AU also agreed to end the suspension of Mali, which was barred from the bloc following a coup in March.

"Council decides to lift the suspension of Mali’s participation in the activities of the AU," AU Commissioner for Peace and Security Ramtane Lamamra told reporters.

Last Friday, African leaders met in the Malian capital Bamako to discuss a plan for military intervention in the north of the country, which was seized under the cover of a coup d'etat six months ago.

Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure was toppled in a military coup on March 22. The coup leaders said the president had failed to fight the separatist movement of Tuareg rebels in the north.

On October 13, the United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution that gave West African nations 45 days to offer details of a plan for a military intervention in Mali.

However, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has warned against a military operation, saying it would further affect millions of people in the region.

Once a detailed plan for military intervention in Mali is submitted by the ECOWAS, the AU and the UN, the Security Council will consider a second resolution to approve the move.