France calls UN Security Council meeting to discuss conflict in Mali

France has called a meeting of the United Nations Security Council tomorrow to discuss ongoing conflict in Mali.

The meeting will come as French jets pound Islamist strongholds in the north of the African country, forcing insurgents to flee on the third day of their intervention.

French President Francois Hollande said that the intervention had halted the southward rebel advance seen as threatening the capital Bamako, but stressed that France's mission is not over.

Yesterday, several countries including Britain pledged support to the Malian government in the face of the Islamist rebel forces.