Latest update: 18/01/2013 

- Algeria - François Hollande - French military - government - hostages - Mali


French intervention in Mali: a turning point in Hollande's presidency? (Part 1)

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Friday January 11th, French combat helicopters flew into northern Mali to stop the advance of islamist fighters who control the north of the country, and that includes the local branch of Al Qaeda. And France is now waging war in the Sahara desert, to rid Mali and the entire region of these groups. How does this impact the Hollande presidency? Will it define his political future?

POLITICS
By FRANCE 24

On the set:

  • Michael Kirtley, Journalist, National Geographic & Africa International; Independent Filmmaker;
  • Gabriele Parussini, Paris Correspondent, Wall Street Journal;
  • Mark Deen, Journalist, Bloomberg News

By Skype from London:

  • Philip Stonor, Former Deputy Defence Attaché at the British Embassy in Paris

Prepared by Cyril Vanier and Léa Berdugo.

Watch the second part

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