France's defense minister said the U.N. Security Council in coming days will pass a resolution approving a multinational African force to help stabilize troubled Mali, AP reported. France-Culture radio quotes Jean-Yves Le Drian as saying the resolution will be adopted before Christmas. Separately Monday, the French and Malian foreign ministers met in Paris - in part to discuss the resolution. Mali is divided between a fragile caretaker government in the south - where a military junta toppled the elected leadership in March - and al-Qaida-linked rebels who control the north. Former colonial overseer France and other Western nations fear Mali could become a hotbed for terror groups who have seized hostages in western Africa and could one day mastermind attacks in Europe.
