(MENAFN- Qatar News Agency) Leaders of the extraordinary summit of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Saturday called on the UN Security Council to fast track the release of logistics and financial support for Africa-led Mission in Mali (AFISMA).
The ECOWAS Chairman and President of Cote d'Ivoire Allasane Quattara said "The hour has come for a broader commitment by the major powers and more countries and organisations to the military operations to show greater solidarity with France and Africa."
"We must speed up the re-establishment of Mali's territorial integrity with the logistical support of our partners ... and go beyond our current deployment numbers," Ouattara said, calling for international financial support for African nations involved in the Mali effort.
African leaders were also urged to fast-track the deployment of African troops to boost a French-backed offensive in Mali against fighters led by the al-Qaeda-linked group Ansar al-Dine, according to (Al Jazeera) news Channel.
Saturday's meeting in the Ivory Coast city of Abidjan came after Malian soldiers, backed by French troops and air power, retook a key central town from rebels who had advanced from their northern stronghold, threatening the capital Bamako.
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