Malian forces are patrolling Diabaly on Tuesday, a day after French and Malian forces retook the central town that had been overrun by Islamist militants.Residents say militants either have fled or are attempting to blend in with civilians in Diabaly, located about 400 kilometers north of the capital, Bamako.
Meanwhile, VOA correspondent Idrissa Fall, who is in Mali, reported that calm also is returning to Douentza, a town seized by militants in September.
Fall said residents expressed relief Tuesday over the arrival of Malian and international forces.
"They confirmed that the Malian army, the French soldiers, they arrived yesterday morning at 9 a.m. and the whole population in Douentza went out celebrating their arrival," he said.
French forces intervened in Mali a week and a half ago, amid fears that militants who control the country's north were pushing toward the capital. The U.S. is providing assistance by transporting French soldiers and equipment into the country.
Also, the ECOWAS West African regional bloc is building a 3,300-troop force that eventually will take the lead in helping Malian forces push back rebels.
On Tuesday, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the terrorist threat in Mali has "global repercussions." In a speech to the General Assembly, Ban said addressing the unrest in Mali and the Sahel region were among his top priorities for 2013.
He said the U.N. would work with its African and international partners to fully restore Mali's constitutional order and territorial integrity.
Meanwhile, VOA correspondent Idrissa Fall, who is in Mali, reported that calm also is returning to Douentza, a town seized by militants in September.
Fall said residents expressed relief Tuesday over the arrival of Malian and international forces.
"They confirmed that the Malian army, the French soldiers, they arrived yesterday morning at 9 a.m. and the whole population in Douentza went out celebrating their arrival," he said.
French forces intervened in Mali a week and a half ago, amid fears that militants who control the country's north were pushing toward the capital. The U.S. is providing assistance by transporting French soldiers and equipment into the country.
Also, the ECOWAS West African regional bloc is building a 3,300-troop force that eventually will take the lead in helping Malian forces push back rebels.
On Tuesday, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the terrorist threat in Mali has "global repercussions." In a speech to the General Assembly, Ban said addressing the unrest in Mali and the Sahel region were among his top priorities for 2013.
He said the U.N. would work with its African and international partners to fully restore Mali's constitutional order and territorial integrity.