Mali is determined to quell a heavily armed Tuareg rebellion in its north before an election scheduled for April, the defence minister said yesterday.
Dozens have been reported killed and thousands of civilians forced from their homes since the rebels started their attacks last month.
The fighting has raised concerns the presidential election may be postponed. President Amadou Toumani Toure, who has pledged to step down as leader after the election, has faced a wave of anger for not doing enough to crack down on the rebellion.
■MALI
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