France military intervention of Mali facing tough resistance from rebels
A French Rafale jet lands in Chad after a mission on Sunday in Mali /Image: BBC
France says its military intervention in Mali is "developing favourably" and within expectations.
Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said Islamists had retreated in the east but that French forces were facing a "difficult" situation against well-armed rebels in western areas.
Rebels attacked Diabaly, 400km (250 miles) from the capital, Bamako, on Monday, Malian security sources said.
France has called a meeting of the UN Security Council for Monday.
France began its military intervention last Friday in an attempt to halt the advance of Islamist rebels towards Bamako from bases in the north and east.
Meanwhile, Islamists have vowed attacks on French soil in revenge for the campaign.
'Matter of weeks'
On Sunday, French warplanes bombed the town of Gao in eastern Mali, extending their raids deep into rebel territory.
Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Sunday that the French intervention had succeeded in stopping the rebel advance towards the south.
At least 11 Malian soldiers and a French helicopter pilot have died since Friday. More than 100 militants are reported to have been killed.
Mr Fabius said France's involvement would last "a matter of weeks" and rejected any parallel with the protracted Western mission in Afghanistan.
"Later on, we can come as back-up, but we have no intention of staying forever," he said.
BBC
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