Four U.S. Senators who are on a visit to Mali said on Monday that the United States is ready to help Mali in the organization of the forthcoming elections.

While speaking in Bamako, Christopher Coons, who is the vice- chairman of the African affairs in the U.S. Congress, said that "it was possible for the United States to increase its assistance to Mali, especially in the area of elections, in order to restore the rule of law and put in place legitimate institutions that will be recognized across the whole world."

"Once democracy will have been restored, it's clear that the U. S. will resume its assistance, even in the area of military cooperation," he said.

The four senators who met with President Dioncounda Traore, the Defense Minister Yamoussa Camara as well as other political actors, discussed about the terrorist threats on Mali and the sub-region as well as the political situation in the country.

"We are committed to working with the Malians to defeat terrorism and restore normalcy in Mali," Coons reaffirmed.

He said that the commanders of the International Support Mission for Mali (MISMA) "appreciate the U.S. assistance especially in the area of aerial transport and fuel supplies, just as the Malian authorities which have received support in intelligence gathering on the ground."