The United States is likely to play a more active military role in Mali, where French-led forces are battling Islamist rebels, after the country holds elections, the chair of a key Senate sub-committee said Monday.
Washington has been providing intelligence, transport and mid-air refuelling to France, which launched its intervention last month, but cannot work directly with the Malian army until a democratically elected government replaces current leaders who came to power after a coup, said Christopher Coons, chair of the Senate foreign relations committee's Africa sub-committee.
"There is the hope that there will be additional support from the United States in these and other areas, but ... American law prohibits direct assistance to the Malian military following the coup," Coons told journalists in the Malian capital.
"After there is a full restoration of democracy, I would think it is likely that we will renew our direct support for the Malian military," added the senator, who led a bipartisan congressional delegation to Mali to meet with interim president Dioncounda Traore and French and African defence officials.
US military aid to Mali before the March 2012 coup consisted largely of training and equipment such as vehicles, a State Department official said.
But military assistance "would obviously be resumed in a way commensurate with the current needs. Priorities would have shifted a bit," the official added.
"There could be other kinds of assistance that had there not been a coup we could have provided, or requests for things now that we can't provide."
Some US lawmakers criticised President Barack Obama's administration last week for not doing more to help France in Mali.
"This is a NATO ally fighting Al-Qaeda-linked terrorists -- it shouldn't be that hard," said House foreign affairs committee chairman Ed Royce.
The hint of greater US involvement after elections adds to the complicated calculus of picking a date for the polls.
Traore, the interim president, has said he wants elections by July 31.
But critics say that is too soon given the problems Mali still faces, including ongoing insurgent attacks, a deeply divided military and hundreds of thousands of people who have fled their homes.
The minister responsible for organising the elections, Territorial Administration Minister Moussa Sinko Coulibaly, said last week the timeline "can be changed if necessary".
France, which launched its intervention on January 11 as Al-Qaeda-linked groups that had occupied the north for 10 months made incursions into government territory, is keen to share the military burden in Mali, and has announced plans to start bringing its 4,000 troops home in March.
The European Union formally approved a military training mission Monday that will be tasked with getting Mali's under-funded army ready to secure reclaimed territory.
But France is the only Western country with combat troops on the ground, and would like to hand over to some 6,000 west African troops who are slowly being deployed to help.
Mali imploded after a coup by soldiers who blamed the government for the army's humiliation at the hands of separatist rebels in the north.
With the capital in disarray, Al-Qaeda-linked fighters hijacked the independence rebellion and took control of a territory larger than Texas.
AFP
Mon Feb 18 2013
![Greater US military role in Mali likely after polls Greater US military role in Mali likely after polls](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2013-02/61361228775_295x200.jpg)
Jualan penyaman udara naik mendadak di negara Balkan
Menetap di negara sejuk, mereka tidak pernah terfikir memasang penyaman udara di dalam rumah memandangkan musim panas bukanlah setiap hari. Namun, cuaca panas melampau membuatkan mereka bertukar fikiran.
![Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-01/61706688348_wismaputra.jpg)
Malaysia kecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan ekstremis Zionis Israel ke atas Masjid Al-Aqsa
Kerajaan Malaysia mengecam sekeras-kerasnya pencerobohan Masjid Al-Aqsa oleh ekstremis Zionis Israel pada 13 Ogos.
![Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/61723653359_TBMOKHTAR.jpg)
Reda dengan pemergian anak walaupun bukan pengakhiran diharapkan - Ayah Nidza Afham
Ayah kepada penyanyi dan Youtubers Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar reda dengan pemergian anak lelakinya walaupun itu bukan pengakhiran yang beliau harapkan.
Ahli perniagaan diberkas, terlibat dalam aktiviti kumpulan mafia
Seorang ahli perniagaan Itali ditangkap di bandar Natal, Brazil pada selasa.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Giuseppe Bruno kini menghadapi tuduhan termasuk melakukan pemerasan dan pengubahan wang haram dan juga penglibatan bersama kumpulan mafia.
Srettha hormati keputusan mahkamah
Srettha Thavisin menghormati keputusan Mahkamah Perlembagaan Thailand yang memecatnya daripada jawatan Perdana Menteri.
Lahir empat hari lepas, bayi kembar maut angkara serangan rejim Zionis
Kembar lelaki diberikan nama Asser manakala Ayssel pula nama diberi buat kembar perempuan, kedua-duanya lahir pada 10 Ogos lepas.
Lelaki tikam ibu saudara direman tujuh hari
Seorang lelaki yang disyaki menikam ibu saudaranya di kepala dengan gunting, semalam direman selama tujuh hari hingga 21 Ogos ini.
PN senarai pendek tiga calon, akan diumum selepas PRK Nenggiri
Perikatan Nasional telah menyenarai pendek tiga calon untuk bertanding pada Pilihan Raya Kecil (PRK) Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Mahkota yang dijadualkan berlangsung pada 28 September depan.
![10 cedera dalam kejadian reaktor kilang terbakar di Bintulu 10 cedera dalam kejadian reaktor kilang terbakar di Bintulu](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-07/41722145972_KebakaranGeneric.jpg)
10 cedera dalam kejadian reaktor kilang terbakar di Bintulu
Menurut PGOB kesemua mangsa yang cedera telah dikejarkan ke Hospital Bintulu untuk rawatan lanjut.
![Mayat Muhammad Nidza Afham dibawa ke Hospital Shah Alam Mayat Muhammad Nidza Afham dibawa ke Hospital Shah Alam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-04/61713736324_HusseinOmarKhan.jpg)
Mayat Muhammad Nidza Afham dibawa ke Hospital Shah Alam
Mayat Muhammad Nidza Afham Mokhtar yang ditemukan di Sungai Klang petang tadi dibawa ke Unit Forensik Hospital Shah Alam (HSA) untuk urusan bedah siasat.
![Mali putus hubungan diplomatik dengan Ukraine Mali putus hubungan diplomatik dengan Ukraine](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2024-08/81722861411_MaliRepublikMali.jpg)
Mali putus hubungan diplomatik dengan Ukraine
Mali memutuskan hubungan diplomatik dengan Ukraine, umum kerajaan peralihan Mali.
![Konjunktivitis: Malawi larang penduduk bersalaman Konjunktivitis: Malawi larang penduduk bersalaman](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-05/81651453398_TBbersalam.jpg)
Konjunktivitis: Malawi larang penduduk bersalaman
Kementerian Kesihatan Malawi pada Khamis mengarahkan orang ramai untuk berhenti bersalaman bagi mengelak penularan konjunktivitis.
![60 maut dalam serangan pengganas - Junta Mali 60 maut dalam serangan pengganas - Junta Mali](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-09/81694144173_mayat.jpg)
60 maut dalam serangan pengganas - Junta Mali
Lebih 60 orang terbunuh dalam serangan pengganas di Mali termasuk sekurang-kurangnya 49 orang awam dan 15 anggota tentera, menurut junta Mali pada Khamis, lapor agensi berita (dpa) Jerman.
![Mali, Burkina Faso isytihar Pengerusi Kesatuan Afrika sebagai 'persona non grata' Mali, Burkina Faso isytihar Pengerusi Kesatuan Afrika sebagai 'persona non grata'](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-08/41691392302_AzaliAssoumani.jpg)
Mali, Burkina Faso isytihar Pengerusi Kesatuan Afrika sebagai 'persona non grata'
Mali dan Burkina Faso pada Ahad mengisytiharkan ketua Kesatuan Afrika (AU) sebagai persona non grata.
![Pengaman PBB terbunuh dalam serangan di utara Mali Pengaman PBB terbunuh dalam serangan di utara Mali](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2023-06/41686377163_Bouake.jpg)
Pengaman PBB terbunuh dalam serangan di utara Mali
Seorang pengaman Misi Penstabilan Bersepadu Multidimensi Pertubuhan Bangsa-Bangsa Bersatu (PBB) (MINUSMA) terbunuh manakala tujuh yang lain cedera parah dalam serangan di utara Mali, lapor Xinhua.
![31 maut dalam serangan di Mali 31 maut dalam serangan di Mali](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2018-01/41516313703_MSixteen.jpg)
31 maut dalam serangan di Mali
Sekumpulan penyamun menyerang dan membakar trak yang sedang dalam perjalanan membawa orang awam ke tapak pesta.
![Dalang pembunuhan 800,000 orang, Bagosora meninggal dunia Dalang pembunuhan 800,000 orang, Bagosora meninggal dunia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-09/81632611087_Bagosora.jpg)
Dalang pembunuhan 800,000 orang, Bagosora meninggal dunia
Theoneste Bagosora menjalani hukuman penjara 35 tahun setelah didapati bersalah melakukan jenayah terhadap kemanusiaan.
![Bekas Presiden Mali meninggal dunia Bekas Presiden Mali meninggal dunia](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-09/51600214302_MoussaTraore.jpg)
Bekas Presiden Mali meninggal dunia
Traore mula memerintah pada tahun 1968 secara kudeta, lapan tahun selepas negara itu mendapat kemerdekaannya daripada Perancis.
![Tentera Perancis bunuh 33 militan Islam Tentera Perancis bunuh 33 militan Islam](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2019-12/41576983212_EmmanuelMacron.jpg)
Tentera Perancis bunuh 33 militan Islam
Operasi darat dan udara itu dilancarkan berdekatan sempadan dengan Mauritania.
![Enam kanak-kanak maut disambar petir ketika bancuh teh Enam kanak-kanak maut disambar petir ketika bancuh teh](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/http://img.astroawani.com/2018-03/41520782729_Lightining.jpg)
Enam kanak-kanak maut disambar petir ketika bancuh teh
Enam kanak-kanak berusia empat hingga 10 tahun maut akibat disambar petir ketika membancuh teh di bawah pokok mangga dalam kejadian yang berlaku di pantai barat Guinea pada Rabu.