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Former US Envoy to Mali Urges Military to Stand Down

Salem Solomon

   WASHINGTON - After a coup that led to the resignation of Mali's
   president, the international community is watching closely and debating
   how best to help the West African country avoid collapse.

   Vicki Huddleston, a former U.S. ambassador to Mali, said the key is to
   support the Malian people in forming a government that is trusted and
   representative of the country's diversity.

   "We need a government of national unity led by an honest, not corrupt
   president that is acceptable to all of the Malians," she told VOA.
   "Malians, I think, have a tendency toward unity. We have to get back to
   that. We have to listen to them and we have to respect them."

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