Mali crisis: UN calls for 'swift deployment' of troops

 

Islamist militants have controlled much of northern Mali since April

The UN Security Council has called for the "swift deployment" of an international force to Mali.

The call comes after Islamist militants said they had entered the key central town of Konna.
The UN has approved plans to send some 3,000 African troops to Mali to recapture the desert north, which is controlled by the militants.
On Friday, French President Francois Hollande said France would only help Mali within a UN framework.
He was speaking after UN diplomats revealed that Malian President Dioncounda Traore had asked France - the country's former colonial power - to help counter the rebel offensive.
"We are faced with a blatant aggression that is threatening Mali's very existence," Mr Hollande said in a new year speech to diplomats.
"I have decided that France will respond, alongside our African partners, to the request from the Malian authorities. We will do it strictly within the framework of the United Nations Security Council resolution. We will be ready to stop the terrorists' offensive if it continues."
Earlier, the US ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, asked whether the President Traore had requested specific kinds of military support, said: "It wasn't specific, but it basically said, 'Help, France!'"
For logistical reasons the African force already approved by the UN was not expected to even begin its offensive before September or October, the BBC's Barbara Plett reports from the UN in New York.
The UN resolution also calls for peace talks between the government and rebels, in an attempt to separate them from the foreign extremists, our correspondent reports.
These were set to begin this month but the renewed fighting threatens their chances of success, she adds.
Some European leaders have voiced concerns that jihadists could use Mali's vast Islamist-controlled area to launch attacks on Europe.
'Global crisis' The latest fighting is the most serious since the militants captured the north from government forces in April 2012.

A spokesman for the Ansar Dine militant group, Sanda Abu Mohammed, said their fighters had driven out government forces from Konna, about 700km (435 miles) north-east of Bamako.
"We are actually in Konna for the jihad [holy war]," he is quoted by AFP news agency as saying.
The army has not commented on the claim.
Earlier, army sources had said that soldiers had advanced on Douentza, a central town held by another Islamist group.
A resident in Douentza said no fighting had so far taken place for control of the town, about 800km (500 miles) north-east of the capital, Bamako.
It was still in the hands of the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (Mujao), the resident said.
On Tuesday, African Union chairman Thomas Boni Yayi said Nato should send forces to Mali to fight the Islamists.
He said the Malian conflict was a global crisis which required Nato to intervene, in the way it had done in Afghanistan to fight the Taleban and al-Qaeda.
Nato troops should work alongside an African force in Mali, he said.
Ansar Dine and Mujao have controlled most of northern Mali since last April.
They formed an alliance with Tuareg rebels, over-running government forces in the northern regions of Timbuktu, Kidal and Gao in the chaos following a military coup in March.
But their alliance quickly collapsed, with the Islamists capturing the region's main urban centres and marginalising the Tuareg rebels.
The Islamists have been accused of war crimes and attempting to impose a strict version of Sharia, prompting fears the region could become a regional hub for al-Qaeda-linked militancy.
Burkina Faso is trying to mediate an end to the conflict.

Rebels 'take control of north Syria airbase'

 

 One video purportedly showed rebels driving armoured vehicles at Taftanaz

Rebels are reported to have taken control of a strategic military airbase in north-western Syria after days of fierce fighting with government forces.

Opposition activists said the Free Syrian Army (FSA) was in full control of Taftanaz airport. Videos purportedly showed fighters inside the facility.
Helicopters based there have been used to bombed rebel-held areas.
Meanwhile, top US and Russian officials are attending talks in Geneva with the UN envoy to Syria, Lakhdar Brahimi.
They were expected to discuss how to advance a peace plan proposed by world powers in June, but the BBC's Imogen Foulkes say a diplomatic breakthrough is unlikely.
Russia and the US disagree over the opposition demand that President Bashar al-Assad should step down.
Ammunition store Hundreds of FSA fighters - led by the jihadist groups al-Nusra Front, Ahrar al-Sham and the Islamic Vanguard - have besieged Taftanaz Military Airport in Idlib province for weeks.
Helicopters based at the sprawling facility have been used to bomb rebel-held areas in the north and deliver vital supplies to government forces.
Rebel fighters broke into the airbase on Wednesday night after days of fighting, and by Thursday had seized control of more than half of it.

On Friday morning, the Local Co-ordination Committees (LCC), an opposition activist network, reported that the FSA was now in full control.
The LCC also said a government warplane had later bombed the nearby town of Taftanaz.
Videos posted online purportedly showed Islamist fighters inspecting armoured vehicles outside the airbase's main gate, and at an ammunition store inside the facility.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based activist group, said the fighting ended at about 11:00 (09:00 GMT).
"Many regime forces have been killed and most of the soldiers and officers fled at dawn," Rami Abdul Rahman told the AFP news agency. "This is the largest airbase to be seized since the revolt began."
The military had removed all its helicopters, except for 20 which were no longer in working condition, he added.
On Wednesday, one opposition activist said the military had blown up aircraft at the base pre-emptively to prevent the rebels gaining access to them. The SOHR said 15 helicopters appeared to have been damaged.
'Flagrant bias' The violence came as the UN and Arab League envoy to Syria began further talks about a political solution in Geneva with the US Assistant Secretary of State, William Burns, and Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov.
Officials said they would discuss how to implement the plan proposed by the Action Group for Syria in June, which called for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of a transitional government that could include officials serving under Mr Assad and members of the opposition.

Lakhdar Brahimi, speaking to the BBC's Lyse Doucet, said President Bashar al-Assad had missed an opportunity for peace

However, our correspondent says the mood ahead of the talks is not optimistic.
On Sunday, President Assad made a defiant speech with no sign he would step down, something Washington has been demanding for some time. Moscow however disagrees with such calls, saying Syrians alone should decide their future.
On Thursday, the Syrian government accused Mr Brahimi of "flagrant bias" over comments he made criticising Mr Assad.
Mr Brahimi told the BBC on Wednesday that people in Syria believed that one family ruling a country for 40 years was "a little bit too long".
"President Assad could take the lead in responding to the aspiration of his people rather than resisting it," the Algerian diplomat added, implying that he thought the Syrian leader should go.
Mr Brahimi later told the Reuters news agency that he saw no place for Mr Assad in any political transition.
The UN recently said more than 60,000 people had been killed since the uprising against the president began in March 2011.

Rooney misses out on Liverpool clash

By ESPN staff

Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney will not feature against Liverpool having failed to recover from injury in time, manager Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed.

PA PhotosRooney has formed a lethal strike partnership with Robin van Persie this season

Rooney, 27, has been sidelined since picking up a knee injury during training on Christmas Day, but Ferguson had always been confident that the England international would return in time for Sunday's derby clash at Old Trafford.
However, that schedule has now been revised - with the midweek FA Cup replay against West Ham a more likely comeback fixture for Rooney.
"Wayne's still out," Ferguson said on Friday. "I'm hoping he starts training today, in which case he won't be far away.
"I don't think it's a big issue but it will help him along. The injury is quite straightforward so if he starts [training] today we should have him available for Wednesday's game."
Rooney scored both goals in the win over Liverpool last season but has missed the last four games after picking up a knee injury.
There was more positive news elsewhere in the squad, however, with the Scot confirming that both Nani and Anderson will be in Sunday's matchday squad following injury layoffs.
Phil Jones is also approaching a return, although the cup replay is a more realistic target for the former Blackburn trainee.
"Nani's back in training and will be in the squad on Sunday. Phil Jones is back, although I think Wednesday is more likely for him," Sir Alex revealed.
"Anderson has been back training for 10 days so he'll be in the squad on Sunday. All in all, we're in a healthy situation. How long it will last I don't know but it's good to have them

Delhi gang rape suspects 'tortured to force confession'

 
A magistrate is expected to transfer the case for trial to a special fast-track court

A potential lawyer for three of the men charged with the abduction, rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman in Delhi says his clients have been tortured and coerced into admitting the crime.

Amid heavy security, five suspects appeared in court in the Indian capital for a second time on Thursday, before the case was adjourned until Monday.
No decision was taken on moving the case to a fast-track trial.
The court ruled on Thursday that the charge-sheet needed more scrutiny.
The case has shocked India and prompted a debate about the treatment of women.
If convicted, the five men charged face the death penalty.
A sixth suspect, who is thought to be 17, will be tried separately in a youth court if it is confirmed he is a minor.
Evidence 'manipulated' Manohar Lal Sharma, who is intending to represent three of the accused - Mukesh Singh, Akshay Thakur and Ram Singh - said one 22-year-old suspect had been tortured for 10 days.
"He was coerced into admission," said Mr Sharma outside the court on Thursday morning. "He's unable to speak now.

Soutik Biswas India correspondent

"All these people have been tortured badly. It's under pressure that they have made statements in court.

"Evidence has been manipulated to calm the anger among people."
Delhi police spokesman Rajan Bhagat refused to comment, citing legal restrictions.
Sunil Gupta, a spokesman for Tihar Jail where the suspects are being held, told the BBC all the accused were being kept in different sections of the jail "and their safety is guaranteed".
Lawyer Vivek Sharma, who says he is representing a fourth suspect, Pawan Gupta, says he will plead not guilty.
It is not clear how the fifth suspect, Vinay Sharma, will plead.
Prosecutors have said they have extensive forensic evidence.
Police criticised The magistrate has ordered that the preliminary hearings be held behind closed doors and has put restraints on media reporting.

India's fast-track courts

• Some 1,200 fast-track courts are operating in India as of March 2012
• In Delhi, six fast-track courts are to be set up for the trial of cases related to crimes against women, especially rape. Some other states such as Punjab and Maharashtra are also setting up fast-track courts for this purpose
• In 2000, central government started a scheme for more than 1,700 fast-track courts to try to clear the backlog of cases clogging up the Indian judicial system, partly related to a shortage of judges
• Funding is an issue because the central government said it could no longer fund them after March 2011, leaving future funding decisions to individual states.

There were chaotic scenes in the Delhi court on Monday when the group appeared for the first time.

Lawyers argued with each other over representation and the magistrate adjourned the hearing, moving it behind closed doors.
Separately, the Delhi High Court has criticised the city's police over the gang rape incident on 16 December.
The court said on Wednesday that only one police officer had been suspended in connection with the incident, and asked the police: "Why are you trying to save the errant policemen?"
The victim, who cannot be named in India for legal reasons, and a male friend were attacked on a bus in south Delhi. She died two weeks later in a hospital in Singapore.
Campaigners are calling for tougher rape laws and reforms to the police, who - critics say - often fail to file charges against those accused of attacks.

Hicks and Gillett agree settlement

By ESPN staff

Liverpool have reached an agreement with former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett for an out-of-court settlement over the sale of the club in 2010.

GettyImagesTom Hicks and George Gillett arrived at Anfield in 2007

The American pair, who arrived at Anfield in 2007, were unhappy with the way their sale to Fenway Sports (then New England Sports Ventures) was concluded by Sir Martin Broughton, Christian Purslow and Ian Ayre, who were respectively Liverpool chairman, managing director and commercial director at the time.
Hicks and Gillett went on to vent their frustrations by making a number of claims and allegations against the trio, which were all denied, and ultimately led to legal proceedings.
However, all parties have now come to a confidential agreement, resulting in all allegations being withdrawn and the court case being concluded.
A club statement read: "In October 2010, Liverpool Football Club and Athletic Grounds Limited (Liverpool FC) was sold to the Fenway Sports Group. As a consequence of that sale, Thomas Hicks and George Gillett (being the former owners of Liverpool FC) made a number of allegations and claims against Sir Martin Broughton, Christian Purslow and Ian Ayre (being the company directors responsible for the sale of Liverpool FC to the Fenway Sports Group). Those allegations and claims were denied by Messrs Broughton, Purslow and Ayre. The allegations, claims and denials resulted in legal proceedings being commenced.
"The parties have now agreed a settlement (the terms of which are confidential). All claims and allegations made against Messrs Broughton, Purslow and Ayre have been withdrawn by Messrs Hicks and Gillett and all legal proceedings between the parties concluded. The parties will not be making any further statement to the press.''
Information from the Press Association was used in this report

Mali's army 'seizes' Douentza from Islamists

 
Mali's army needs help to recapture the north

Malian troops have captured the strategic central town of Douentza from militant Islamists, an army source has told the BBC.

This is the first time the military has claimed to have retaken a town in the Islamist-held north.
The military has also launched an offensive to regain Konna town, the source said.
On Tuesday, African Union chairman Thomas Boni Yayi said Nato should send forces to Mali to fight the Islamists.
He said the Malian conflict was a global crisis which required Nato to intervene, in the way it had done in Afghanistan to fight the Taleban and al-Qaeda.
Nato troops should work alongside an African force in Mali, he said.
Some European leaders have voiced concerns that jihadists could use Mali's vast Islamist-controlled area, which is the size of France, to launch attacks on Europe.
Last month, the UN Security Council approved plans to send some 3,000 West African troops to fight the Malian Islamists.
But UN officials said they did not expect a deployment to take place until September 2013.
'Heavy shooting' The Malian military source told BBC Afrique that Douentza, about 800km (500 miles) north-east of the capital Bamako, had been captured from the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (Mujao), following an exchange of fire.
There has been no comment so far from Mujao, which took control of the town in September 2012.
The source said the army has also launched operations to oust the Islamists from Konna, which is near the edge of government-controlled territory and the regional capital, Mopti.

Residents told AFP that two sides are involved in heavy shooting in Konna.
"We are going to oust them," an unnamed Malian soldier is quoted by AFP as saying.
Mujao and another Islamist group, Ansar Dine, have controlled most of northern Mali since last April.
They formed an alliance with Tuareg rebels, over-running government forces in the northern regions of Timbuktu, Kidal and Gao.
But their alliance quickly collapsed, with the Islamists capturing the region's main urban centres and marginalising the Tuareg rebels.
The Islamists have been accused of war crimes and attempting to impose a strict version of Sharia law, prompting fears the region could become a regional hub for al-Qaeda-linked militancy.
Islamist fighters in the historic city of Timbuktu have demolished several Sufi shrines and mosques - regarded as idolatrous by the hard-liners - prompting international fears for the future of the Unesco world heritage site.
Burkina Faso is trying to mediate an end to the conflict.

Oscars: Hollywood awaits 85th Academy Award nominations

Watch everything you need to know on the Oscars... in two minutes

Hollywood is gearing up for the announcement of the 2013 Academy Award nominations ahead of the Oscars ceremony next month.

Films expected to make the best picture shortlist include Kathryn Bigelow's Zero Dark Thirty and Steven Spielberg's presidential drama, Lincoln.
Ben Affleck drama Argo and Quentin Tarantino's western Django Unchained could also be in the running.
Seth MacFarlane and Emma Stone will announce the nominations on Thursday.
The announcement will take place at 0530 Los Angeles time (1330 GMT) at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.
Tom Hooper's musical Les Miserables, David O Russell's Silver Linings Playbook and Ang Lee's Life of Pi could also make the cut for best picture.
In the acting categories, Daniel Day-Lewis is hotly tipped for his portrayal of the 16th president of the United States in Lincoln, while Jessica Chastain is expected to be recognised for her role as a CIA agent hunting down Osama Bin Laden in Zero Dark Thirty.
Hugh Jackman (Les Miserables), Joaquin Phoenix (The Master), Denzel Washington (Flight) and John Hawkes (The Sessions) could also be in contention for best actor.
Bond tribute Possible best actress nominees include Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook, Marion Cotillard for Rust and Bone, Emmanuelle Riva for Amour and Naomi Watts for The Impossible.
British hopes could lie with Dame Helen Mirren, who may be nominated for best actress for her portrayal of Alfred Hitchcock's wife Alma Reville in Hitchcock.
Bond movie Skyfall could also sneak in with a best picture nod, which would a first for the 007 franchise, while Dame Judi Dench could be nominated for her turn as M.
Dame Judi may also be recognised for her role as an adventurous widow in British comedy The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
The Oscars ceremony - which will take place on 24 February - will feature a tribute to 50 years of Bond films.
"We are very happy to include a special sequence on our show saluting the Bond films on their 50th birthday," said the producers of the Oscars show, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.
The nominations are selected by a ballot of 6,000 members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
A total of 24 categories will be announced, including the best acting performances of the year and technical awards in areas such as editing, design and music.
Nominations for this year's awards are being announced two weeks earlier than usual.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said the move would "provide members and the public a longer period of time to see the nominated films".
The Bafta nominations were announced on Wednesday with Lincoln leading the way in 10 categories.