French troops in Mali concentrated on containing al Qaeda linked rebels in a town near the capital while the EU and African states rushed to support their action with troops and strategic supplies.

French air strikes in Mali have driven back Islamist rebels from a key city and destroyed a militant command centre, the French defence minister said today.

The UN Security Council said it will consider a request from West African countries for military intervention in Mali to root out al-Qaida-linked Islamists who have seized control of the country's northern region.

The day after an embargo was placed on Mali, the soldier who led a recent coup said that he agrees with restoring constitutional order, but first Mali’s ills need to be addressed by holding a national convention which will decide on the best way forward.

Residents barricaded themselves inside their homes, blanketing windows and pushing furniture against doors as Abidjan awaited the final battle between the two men who claim Ivory Coast’s presidency.

Amnesty International accused Spanish and Moroccan security forces yesterday of using excessive force and violating immigrants’ rights in trying to repel waves of Africans seeking to gain a foothold in Europe over the past month.

A US military team took a closer look at Liberia’s battered capital ahead of a decision on whether to send troops in a peacekeeping force.