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Europe: the Hollande strategy
07/02/2013 - FACE-OFF

Europe: the Hollande strategy

François Hollande, boosted by the war in Mali, plunged into European affairs this week; first with a major speech before the European Parliament in Strasbourg and now with a European summit in Brussels. Can he chart a middle ground between the UK and Germany? Also on the menu, layoffs continue unabated in France and unions are once again calling on the Socialist government to come to the rescue.
Mali war costs debt-laden France 70 million euros
07/02/2013 - FRANCE - MALI

Mali war costs debt-laden France 70 million euros

France has spent an average of 2.7 million euros per day on its military intervention in Mali so far, an expenditure that could be questioned as the war effort in the West African nation evolves.
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France calls for Mali handover to UN troops
07/02/2013 - FRANCE - MALI

France calls for Mali handover to UN troops

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Wednesday that France wanted a United Nations peacekeeping force to replace French forces deployed in Mali by April, incorporating troops offered by West African nations.
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Laurent Fabius: 'French troops should start leaving Mali in March'
06/02/2013 - IN THE FRENCH PAPERS

Laurent Fabius: 'French troops should start leaving Mali in March'

FRENCH PAPERS, Weds. 06/02/13: French FM Laurent Fabius tells Metro that if everything goes according to plan, French troops should start leaving Mali in March. Papers also react to the government’s decision to open the first supervised injection centre in Paris. And Justice Minister Christiane Taubira has a laughing fit in Parliament during the gay marriage debate.
France to start withdrawing troops from Mali in March
06/02/2013 - FRANCE - MALI

France to start withdrawing troops from Mali in March

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Tuesday that France plans to begin pulling troops out of Mali in March and in the meantime will continue to focus on flushing out Islamist militant havens in the north of the country.
Hollande given hero's welcome in Mali
05/02/2013 - THE WEEK IN FRANCE

Hollande given hero's welcome in Mali

François Hollande’s approval rating may have jumped right after French troops were sent to Mali, but what will the legacy of his recent visit to Bamako be? Next, Google settles a news link row with French publishers. The internet giant has agreed to pay 60 million euros to support digital publishing initiatives. Finally, we meet Albert Uderzo, creator of Asterix, and guest of honour at Angouleme's International Comics Festival.
Will romanticising the Tuareg threaten peace in Mali?
06/02/2013 - FRANCE - MALI

Will romanticising the Tuareg threaten peace in Mali?

France has a long history of glamorising the “blue men of the Sahara”. But following the intervention in Mali, should France be perceived as partial to the minority Tuareg, the chances of a lasting peace could be under threat.
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The plan for Mali (part 2)
04/02/2013 - THE DEBATE

The plan for Mali (part 2)

As French forces take control of northern Mali, separatist Tuareg rebels switch sides. But is the MNLA a viable partner in flushing out jihadist rebels... and in cutting a deal that will give the desert north its long-sought autonomy?
The plan for Mali
04/02/2013 - THE DEBATE

The plan for Mali

As French forces take control of northern Mali, separatist Tuareg rebels switch sides. But is the MNLA a viable partner in flushing out jihadist rebels... and in cutting a deal that will give the desert north its long-sought autonomy?
French air strikes target Islamist bases in Mali
03/02/2013 - MALI - FRANCE

French air strikes target Islamist bases in Mali

The French army carried out fresh air strikes overnight in northern Mali, close to the Algerian border, a military official said Sunday. The official said the strikes targeted logistics bases and training camps used by Islamist rebels.
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