BREAKING NEWS

Mali sanction deadline expires, rebels seize north

By REUTERS

APRIL 2, 2012 05:01

BAMAKO - Mali braced for possible sanctions on Monday after its military rulers pledged to start returning power to civilians but no concrete moves were taken and it was not clear if neighbors would lift threats of isolation.

A 72-hour deadline, set by West African bloc ECOWAS, for soldiers to start returning to barracks expired as northern separatist rebels said they had completed a lightning push south, seizing three regional capitals in as many days as Mali's army units retreated.

The coup, a month before President Amadou Toumani Toure was due to step down for elections has shattered the international reputation of stability and democracy that Africa's No. 3 gold producer previously enjoyed.

The push by rebels, whose ranks were swelled by fighters returning from Libya's conflict, has also deepened insecurity across the Sahara-Sahel band, already awash with Islamists, traffickers and bandits.

US military intercepts Houthi UAV above the Red Sea

By MAARIV

05/07/2024 03:26 AM

Tzav 9 activists block humanitarian aid trucks en route to Gaza

By WALLA!

05/07/2024 02:46 AM

The IDF is about to take over the Palestinian side of Rafah Crossing

By MAARIV

05/07/2024 01:45 AM

Qatar foreign ministry: Hamas response to truce proposal is 'positive'

By REUTERS

05/07/2024 01:19 AM