The ruling junta in Mali has imposed strict regulations on the media coverage of a French-led war in Mali as French and Malian troops push further toward northern parts of the West African country.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has renewed its appeal for international aid for an increasing number of displaced Malian people since crisis started in the West African country a year ago.

The French Foreign Ministry has described Egypt's stance on France's intervention in Mali as "a minority in the face of widespread consensus" from the global community.

French and Malian troops continued to advance northeast on Tuesday, hours after seizing several central towns from rebels.

West African leaders are to meet in Cote d'Ivoire to discuss how best to coordinate military action in Mali.

Washington, DC — Mali, only recently seen as a model African democracy, has crashed onto the stage of world attention, bringing formidable challenges for the international community. Whether to follow France’s bold lead with direct troop intervention; whether to provide intelligence, military or logistical aid; how to support Algeria’s diplomatic efforts – all are questions being debated by leaders at the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union and in capitals around the world.

For African nations, moving from promises to send hundreds of troops to help fight al-Qaida in troubled Mali to getting boots on the ground has been more complicated than first hoped.

Radical Islamists held on to a city in central Mali Friday after sending the Malian military reeling in retreat. With the militants showing the capability to press even further into government-held territory, international aid organizations began evacuating staff from the narrow central belt of the country.

Rebel fighters in Mali have captured at least 12 government soldiers along with their vehicle and equipment, reports say.

Security challenges, which have prompted the Federal Government to deploy troops to many parts of the federation, have forced Nigeria to scale down the number of men of the armed forces it will contribute to a sub-regional military contingent for peacekeeping in Mali.

An Islamist group in northern Mali says it's suspending its pledge to halt hostilities less than a month after it agreed to do so.

An Islamist group in northern Mali says it's suspending its pledge to halt hostilities less than a month after it agreed to do so.

Malian Prime Minister Diango Cissoko has called for an immediate African-led military intervention in the country to help the Malian government battle the militants controlling the northern part of the West African country.

Malians living under the grip of al-Qaida-linked rebels expressed dismay Friday that it could be nearly a year before a regional military intervention to oust the Islamists from power.

Mali's president acknowledged Wednesday that the Islamist group carrying out public executions and amputations in the country's north is made up mostly of Malians and not foreign fighters, a declaration that appears aimed at fostering dialogue with the group.

Following his appointment, Mali's new Prime Minister Diango Cissoko said late Tuesday that he would make the priority of his cabinet work on the recovery of the nation's northern land and organize national elections.

The African Union on Wednesday condemned Mali's military interference in the nation's politics after Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra was forced to quit following his arrest by solders.

Mali is preparing for the planned international intervention in its desert north being seized by rebels, with a national sensitization seminar kicked off for support or understanding by citizens.

The African Union (AU) chairman and Benin President Thomas Boni Yayi has appealed to the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to ensure that Ban will express the need of sending an international force to northern Mali in his report to the Security Council, a diplomatic source in Cotonou said on Friday.

Malian Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra has reiterated his commitment to hold dialogue with fellow Malian citizens who have not renounced Mali's territorial integrity and the secular state.