14 January 2013 Last updated at 04:51 ET
The first of two UK cargo planes is being loaded with equipment at a Paris airbase
The prime minister has restated that British troops will not go onto the ground in Mali, despite the UK offering logistical support to France.
The first of two RAF C17 cargo planes has arrived in Paris to help French military efforts against Islamist rebels in the West African country.
David Cameron said: "What is being done in Mali is in our interests and should support France's actions."
France has attacked the militants since Friday, to support Mali's government.
Its armed forces have been helping Mali government forces recapture the central town of Konna.
France has called a meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the situation in Mali on Monday.
Commons statementThe first of the C17s is being loaded with French armoured vehicles and other equipment at Evreux airbase and will fly to Mali's capital, Bamako, later on Monday.
But the second plane, which was due to leave on Monday, has suffered from technical problems and is now not expected to leave for France until Tuesday.
A government statement on Mali is expected in the Commons at 15.30 GMT.
Meanwhile, the French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has said that France's involvement in the campaign in Mali will last "a matter of weeks".
He said if France not intervened, there was a risk that the Islamists could have advanced as far as the capital, Bamako, with "appalling consequences".
On Sunday, French warplanes bombed the town of Gao in eastern Mali, extending their raids deep into rebel territory.
The French intervention had succeeded in stopping their advance towards the south, he added.
The prime minister has restated that British troops will not go onto the ground in Mali, despite the UK offering logistical support to France.
The first of two RAF C17 cargo planes has arrived in Paris to help French military efforts against Islamist rebels in the West African country.
David Cameron said: "What is being done in Mali is in our interests and should support France's actions."
France has attacked the militants since Friday, to support Mali's government.
Its armed forces have been helping Mali government forces recapture the central town of Konna.
France has called a meeting of the UN Security Council to discuss the situation in Mali on Monday.
Commons statementThe first of the C17s is being loaded with French armoured vehicles and other equipment at Evreux airbase and will fly to Mali's capital, Bamako, later on Monday.
But the second plane, which was due to leave on Monday, has suffered from technical problems and is now not expected to leave for France until Tuesday.
A government statement on Mali is expected in the Commons at 15.30 GMT.
Meanwhile, the French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has said that France's involvement in the campaign in Mali will last "a matter of weeks".
He said if France not intervened, there was a risk that the Islamists could have advanced as far as the capital, Bamako, with "appalling consequences".
On Sunday, French warplanes bombed the town of Gao in eastern Mali, extending their raids deep into rebel territory.
The French intervention had succeeded in stopping their advance towards the south, he added.