France, 14 nations urge Mali junta to quickly fix Denmark forces situation

France and 14 other countries called on the Malian junta on Wednesday to quickly remedy an issue with Danish forces at a critical time for the country, in a statement published late on Wednesday.

Mali's government said on Monday it had asked Denmark to immediately withdraw troops deployed to the West African nation as part of a French-led counter-terrorism task force.

In a statement, the 15 countries said they deeply regretted a statement by the Malian transitional authorities alleging that the Danish contingent in the task force Takuba was made without a proper legal basis, and that Takuba partners are conducting their action in Mali within a robust legal framework agreed upon by Mali's sovereign government.

(Reuters)