British support for Mali mission will not mean 'army boots on the ground', Cameron insists as French take on Al-Qaeda militants

- PM warned that decision to transport foreign troops and equipment to the warzone could provoke reprisals
- He has agreed to provide two cargo planes to fly kit and supplies to Mali
- Cameron defends being 'first out of the blocks' to offer help
- No.10 insists British troops would not join the military mission
- France sent 550 soldiers and launched air strikes to thwart advance by Islamist rebels but says mission will only last 'weeks'
- First British plane delayed by technical fault, MoD reveals

David Cameron was yesterday forced to deny Britain will place Army ‘boots on the ground’ in Mali.

Ministers were ordered to the Commons to stress that UK troops would not ‘undertake a combat role’ in the crisis in West Africa, amid fears they could be sucked into a long, bloody conflict

The Prime Minister has offered logistical air assistance to France, whose troops have joined government forces in fighting Islamic fanatics in its former colony.

Mr Cameron fears the country’s insurgent-held northern desert could become a haven for terrorists to plan and launch international strikes.

Two RAF C-17 Globemaster aircraft have been deployed to transport French military vehicles, kit and supplies to their war-torn former colony.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2261795/British-support-Mali-mission-mean-army-boots-ground-Cameron-insists-French-Al-Qaeda-militants.html#ixzz2JUb2s200
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Source: By Ian Drury (dailymail.co.uk) News - 13 January 2013

Photo: David Cameron hailed the C-17 transport plane, pictured at RAF Brize Norton, before news emerged that one of the aircraft had broken down at French airbase (Photo by dailymail.co.uk)


(13.01.2013)