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                    UN Peacekeepers Set to Take Over in Mali

   A United Nations peacekeeping force is set to take over from an
   African-led mission in Mali, as the country seeks stability ahead of a
   presidential election later this month.
   The African force began deploying in January to help the Malian army
   fight Islamists who seized control of the country`s north. On Monday,
   most of the 6,000 African troops will become part of one of the largest
   U.N. peacekeeping operations.
   The U.N. Security Council has authorized a one-year mission with up to
   11,200 military personnel and 1,440 international police. Their task is
   to support Mali`s political process and to protect civilians and
   cultural artifacts while creating conditions necessary for the
   deployment of humanitarian aid.
   U.N. peacekeeping chief Herve Ladsous visited the city of Timbuktu on
   Sunday ahead of the transfer. He met with political and religious
   leaders and toured a UNESCO World Heritage site.
   Last week, he told the U.N. Security Council that the new mission,
   called MINUSMA, poses "unique challenges" to peacekeepers because of
   Mali`s climate, infrastructure and the size of the country.
   Ameerah Haq, the U.N.`s under-secretary-general for field support, said
   it one of the most logistically challenging missions the world body has
   launched.
   Mali plunged into chaos last year when soldiers overthrew the
   government, allowing ethnic Tuaregs and later al-Qaida-linked militants
   to take over the north. French and African troops helped drive the
   Islamists from major towns.
   The U.N. Security Council has authorized Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
   to request French military intervention if the U.N. troops in Mali are
   "under imminent and serious threat."
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/un-peacekeepers-set-to-take-over-in-m
   ali/1692457.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/un-peacekeepers-set-to-take-over-in-mali/1692457.html