FRENCH PRESIDENT RESPONSES SERIOUSLY THE THREAT IN MALI

      Dubai, 28 Jumadil Akhir 1434/8 May 2013 (MINA) – French President Francois Hollande reacted swiftly by saying that Paris takes  Al-Qaeda threat “seriously”.

  “We are taking seriously the threat by AQIM,” Hollande told reporters. Modern Ghana reportes as quoted by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA), Wednesday (8/5).

      Previously, a leader of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in North Africa  urged Muslims worldwide to attack French interests in retaliation for France’s military intervention against Islamists in Mali.

      “It is your duty, all Muslims, to attack French interests everywhere,” Abu Obaida al-Annabi said in the recording video.

      Annabi presented as the head of the council of dignitaries of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, or AQIM, called for “full mobilisation” to combat the “new crusade of France”.

      Annabi’s call came days after Mohammed al-Zawahiri, the brother of Al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, issued a similar threat.

         France sent troops in January 2013 ago to Mali to quash apposition-linked groups that had taken control of half of the country. French troops were fighting alongside the Malian army and other African soldiers have largely succeeded in driving opposition insurgents from the north, but pockets of resistance remain, particularly in the Gao region.

      France has begun withdrawing some of its 4,000 troops and said it will leave 2,000 soldiers on the ground throughout the summer.

      Paris last month assured Mali that Paris would provide a permanent support forces of 1,000 French soldiers after elections slated for July. (T/P09P04).

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)