Mali's parliament has extended the nationwide state of emergency to June 6, Radio Mali reported Friday. According to dpa, Interim President Dioncounda Traore declared a state of emergency in January, as France launched a military intervention against rebels in the north of the country. The radio report said the National Assembly passed a bill for the extension. A presidential election has been set for July 7, with legislative elections later in the month, as part of a deal reached after the government in Bamako was overthrown in a military coup a year ago.
