France will send nearly 2,000 additional troops to Mali to assist the country's army until African troops arrive, UPI quoted President Francois Hollande as saying Tuesday. During a visit to the United Arab Emirates, Hollande estimated it would take African troops a "good week" to arrive in Mali to help the country's army combat al Qaida-linked rebels, the Financial Times reported. France has carried out four days of bombing against the well-armed militants in Mali's north at the request of the Mali government. The French intervention was prompted by a rebel advance last week and growing fear that Mali has become a haven for terrorists. Euronews.net reported Tuesday that militants have fled from several towns they had occupied in the north. The United States, Canada, Denmark, Germany and Belgium all offered logistical support for France's military operation following a Monday night meeting of the United Nations Security Council.
