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France Keeping Close Eye on Mali After Coup

Nicolas Pinault

   PARIS - France is calling for an immediate return to civilian rule in
   Mali following a military coup in the West African nation this week.
   The former colonial power has worked to stabilize the country since
   leading a 2013 military operation to oust extremists in the north.

   With Mali the cornerstone of French-led efforts to roll back jihadists
   in the Sahel, President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday repeated his call
   for a quick transition back to civilian rule.

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