Merkel: terrorism in Mali, a threat to Europe

- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that terrorism in Mali was a threat to Europe. Germany considers that the situation in the region is part of its own security situation, because of course terrorism Mali (...) is not only a threat for Africa, but also for Europe, Merkel said at a press conference in Berlin with Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara. M. Ouattara, who is the chairman of the Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS) has called on all Europeans to support the operation of France. I hope that this action is supported by all Europeans said Mr. Ouattara. It was urgent to act and I congratulate President (French François) Holland, but everyone must be mobilized, he said. We want to go fast on the deployment of troops to support the Malian troops, but also spend a phase of humanitarian support and strengthen the political process. ECOWAS play the score, he said. Earlier, the German Defense Minister Thomas de Maizière announced that Berlin was making available the ECOWAS two Transall transport aircraft. We are ready to transport troops States Ecowas to Bamako, he said. Departure devices could take place without delay after some technical issues have been resolved, said Mr. de Maizière. He stressed that the government did not need a green light from the German parliament to implement such logistical support. His counterpart Foreign Affairs Guido Westerwelle also announced humanitarian assistance of one million euros for refugees in the neighboring countries of Mali. Ecowas must form an intervention force of 3,300 soldiers against Islamists occupying northern Mali, according to a UN resolution. On the ground, the French army, which air forces pounded from January 11 positions Islamists, began Tuesday a commitment on the ground. More than 800 French soldiers are already deployed in Mali, and the number is expected to rise to 2500 term.