Germany supports French military intervention in Mali: Merkel

The German cabinet took this decision hurriedly in view of the urgency of the situation in Mali, even though the army's transport capacity is overstretched by the on-going military operation in Afghanistan, Chancellor Angela Merkel said today.

"Germany regards security in that region as part of its own security. Terrorism in Mali or in the northern part of the country is not only a threat for Africa, but it is also a threat for Europe," she said this after a meeting with visiting President of Ivory Coast Alassane Quattara.

Addressing a joint news conference with Quattara, who is also chairman of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Merkel said two Transall aircrafts of the German army will be used to transport soldiers and equipment of a planned West African intervention force to Mali.

Germany will also support a European Union project to promote the training of Mali soldiers and assistance the country in implementing democratic reforms, including the holding of a free and fair election later this year.

France launched its military intervention last Friday to try to stop an advance of al Qaeda-linked Islamists from the rebel-controlled northern Mali towards the capital.

The French government said it decided to act to prevent militant Islamists from creating a "terrorist state at the door-step of France and Europe".

Chancellor Merkel said she will discuss the situation in Mali with French President Francois Hollande when they meet in Berlin on Monday to attend the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Elysee Treaty on Franco-German reconciliation after the end of World War II.

She said she will sound him out whether France expected any further contributions from Germany.

The chancellor did not rule out a German military engagement in Mali completely to avoid a repeat of the diplomatic isolation and criticism from its allies it faced after it stayed away from the French-led military operation against the ousted Libyan regime of Moammar Gaddafy in March, 2011.