6 April 2013
France Proposes Permanent Force in Mali
France proposed keeping a French support force of 1.000 men to the United Nations and to the Malian government, which would be permanent, based in Mali and equipped to fight terrorism. Foreign Minister Fabius said that France was pushing ahead with plans to reduce its 4.000-member military presence from the end of April, but planned to maintain a permanent combat force in Mali to support a future UN peacekeeping mission.
Source: The New York Times | Mali: France Proposes Permanent Force