In France, UN Chief Praises Peacekeeping Contributions, Urges Political Progress in Mali
New York, Jul 15 2013 - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, meeting with officials in France on the occasion
of Bastille Day, paid tribute to the country's contributions to ending the turmoil in Mali, after stressing the
importance of credible elections in the West African country in talks with its interim president.
"I highly appreciate the very important contribution and sacrifice of France toward bringing about peace, security and
development for the Malian people," Mr. Ban told the press after meeting with French President Francois Hollande at the
Elysee Palace in Paris.
In early 2013, a rebellion of ethnic Tuareg groups followed by an insurgency of Islamist extremists displaced hundreds
of thousands in Mali and prompted the Government to request assistance from France to halt the southward march of the
extremists, as an African-led force, known as AFISMA, gradually built strength.
Earlier this month, the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), took over from the
African-led force, with a Security Council mandate "to use all necessary means" to carry out security-related
stabilization tasks, protect civilians, UN staff and cultural sites and create the conditions for provision of
humanitarian aid.
In today's meeting with Mr. Hollande, the Secretary-General said he told the French President that he counted on his
continued leadership and support in Mali. "As you know well," he told correspondents, "the mandate of MINUSMA requires
many capabilities such as armed military helicopters."
"I asked the President to consider providing such capabilities," he added.
Yesterday, he said, as he watched the parades celebrating Bastille Day, "I was very moved to see the Blue Helmets at the
side Malian forces as well as French Forces -- in particular those of Operation Serval." The Operation is the French
security mission in Mali.
Also in Paris yesterday, the Secretary-General met with the interim President of Mali, Diacounda Traoré, who he said
welcomed the transfer of authority from AFISMA to the new UN peacekeeping mission.
According to information released by Mr. Ban's spokesperson, the two also discussed the human rights situation in Mali
and the Secretary-General noted the importance of the upcoming presidential elections, stressing that they needed to be
credible and peaceful, with an outcome accepted by all Malians.
The spokesperson reported that Mr. Ban also discussed the situation in Mali yesterday with French Defence Minister
Jean-Yves Le Drian, including the mandate of MINUSMA, support of French troops for the Mission and the effect of the
crisis on countries in the region.
They also exchanged views on the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Lebanon and in Syria, according
to the spokesperson's information.
For more details go to UN News Centre at http://www.un.org/news
ENDS