France, Germany to send joint troops to Mali

The first troops from a joint Franco-German military brigade are to be deployed to Mali, reports Deutsche Welle.

The soldiers are to operate in a support and training role for forces already in the West African state.

A joint statement was issued on Wednesday following a security and defense meeting in the French capital.

Paris and Berlin agreed to send troops from a joint military brigade to Mali, marking its first deployment under the aegis of the EU to an African state.

The statement also made clear the role of the troops being sent to the West African nation, as they will integrate with a European mission to train soldiers.
The mission was launched in February last year and has already trained nearly 3,000 Malian forces.

Read more of this report from Deutsche Welle.