... The president expressed his support for France's leadership of the international community's efforts to deny terrorists a safe haven in Mali... "Washington (ANTARA News) - US President Barack Obama voiced support Friday for France`s military intervention in Mali and vowed to work with French counterpart Francois Hollande to tackle extremism across North Africa.
The two presidents discussed other shared security concerns, including Algeria, Libya and Syria, during telephone talks, the White House said in a statement.
"The president expressed his support for France's leadership of the international community's efforts to deny terrorists a safe haven in Mali," it added.
In condemning a deadly hostage-taking operation by militants in Algeria last week, the two leaders "affirmed their mutual commitment to countering terrorism more broadly in North Africa, according to the statement.
Preliminary estimates from the Algerian authorities say 37 foreign hostages and 29 kidnappers died in an attack at the In Amenas gas field and in the military operation that followed.
Hollande also thanked Obama for his significant support of the effort in Mali, the White House said.
The US Air Force has deployed C-17 cargo planes to carry French troops and equipment to northern Mali, where they are trying to help flush out radical extremist fighters.
The United States also was providing intelligence to France, drawing on its network of satellites and surveillance drones.
Paris has asked Washington to help with refueling its warplanes taking part in the fight against militant fighters in Mali, but Obama's administration has yet to approve the request.
Obama and Hollande also "emphasized the need to rapidly establish" both an African-led military force in Mali and a "political roadmap that will lead to elections and restoration of democratic governance," the White House said.
(/H-RN)
Editor: Ade P Marboen
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
