Tieman Coulibaly, speaking while in Paris, says the military intervention in his country is fighting "a global threat".

 

　　"We must continue pushing them up north and then over there, there is a real need of a strong military force, air force, to destroy all the implementations around the mountains. So ultimately, the real objective is to destroy all terrorist presence in northern Mali."

 

　　Meanwhile, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, who is also in France, says the French government and the Obama administration have agreed to the need to hand over the military operations in Mali to a United Nations mission when it is "prudent."

 

　　"We agreed on the need to as quickly as reasonably possible establish the establishment of the African-led international mission in Mali and to as quickly as is prudent, transition that mission to the United Nations. We also support the political process that France is leading to restore a democratic government in Mali."

 

　　Combined French and African forces have already wrested control of the main towns in northern Mali from rebel forces.

 

　　They are now targeting remote rebel outposts.

 

　　Meanwhile, the World Food Program is reporting the delivery of food relief to the northern regions of Mali is back to normal.