UN and regional actors meet on Mali crisis
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Mali woman
Representatives from the international community have expressed unity with Mali as the country responds to political, security and humanitarian challenges, UN Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson said on Friday.
Eliasson was speaking to UN Radio from Mali's capital, Bamako, where he participated in a meeting which brought together the UN, the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Northern Mali has been taken over by Islamic extremists and the UN Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution on possible military action as it says the situation threatens regional peace.
"In the request from the Security Council there is also an element that provides that we should also encourage a political process in parallel with the planning for a possible military mission. And this conference has very much dealt with how a political process can be facilitated." (24 secs)
Eliasson said a communiqué and draft strategy should be the outcome of the meeting.
