Mali Live Blog-Al Jazeera Blogs

France has launched a military operation in its former colony, Mali to stop al-Qaeda-linked fighters in the country. Dioncounda Traore, Mali's interim president appealed for French assistance to stop the rebel advance and also declared a state of emergency. Mali 24 minutes ago Thirteen Norwegian Statoil employees are involved in the hostage situation in Algeria, Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg says. The US State Departmentconfirmed that US citizens were also among the hostages taken. [Reuters] Mali 37 minutes ago Algeria has ruled out negotiating with fighters who are holding a group of foreigners as hostages. "The Algerian authorities will not respond to the demands of the terrorists and will not negotiate," Interior Minister Daho Ould Kablia was quoted as saying by official news agency APS. The "Masked Brigades" group had demanded an end to French military operations in Mali in return for the safety of the hostages. [Reuters] Mali about an hour ago Algerian workers who were among those taken hostage in Algeria have been released, the APS news agency reported, citing local officials. The report did not specify how many Algerians had been captured or released, after the attack claimed to be carried out in response to military offensives in Mali. [AFP] Mali about an hour ago Fighters who claim the abduction of dozens of foreigners in a deadly attack on a gas field in Algeria say they have been surrounded by security forces and warned any attempt to free the hostages would have a "tragic end", Mauritania's ANI news agency reports. A spokesman for the fighters said the operation was to punish Algeria for allowing French jets to use its airspace in attacking rebel groups in Mali. [AP] Mali about 2 hours ago Chadian President Idriss Deby said Wednesday he has decided to send to Mali a contingent of soldiers to support the French-backed offensive against al Qaeda-linked rebels. "We have taken the decision to deploy to Malian soil a contingent of the national Chadian army to support the efforts of the international community to shore up the Republic of Mali's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Deby said in a message to the national assembly, according to AFP news agency. He did not say how many troops are being sent. Mali about 2 hours ago The International Criminal Court's chief prosecutor said on Wednesday she had launched a formal investigation into suspected war crimes in Mali, following rebels' seizure of large tracts of the west African state. "Since the beginning of the armed conflict in January 2012, the people of Northern Mali have been living in profound turmoil," Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said in a statement. "At each stage during the conflict, different armed groups have caused havoc and human suffering through a range of alleged acts of extreme violence. I have determined that some of these deeds of brutality and destruction may constitute war crimes." Mali about 3 hours ago Al-Qaeda linked militants are holding 41 foreigners hostage, including seven Americans, after an attack on a gas field in eastern Algeria, a spokesman for the militants told two Mauritanian news websites. "Forty-one westerners including seven Americans, French, British and Japanese citizens have been taken hostage," the spokesman told the Mauritanian News Agency as well as Sahara Media. He said five of the hostages were being held at the gas plant, while the others were in a housing complex on the site. Two foreigners, one a Briton, were reported killed in the dawn attack on a bus, according to AFP news agency. According to the spokesman who did not give his name to the two media outlets - publishers of reliable communiques from the al Qaeda-linked rebels - the attack was "a reaction to Algeria's flagrant interference in allowing French planes into its airspace to launch raids on northern Mali". Mali about 4 hours ago Speaking to Al Jazeera, Sanda Ould Boumana, Ansar al-Dine spokesman, has confirmed that close combat has commenced in the town of Diabaly. French forces have begun shelling the southern town. The fighting, says Boumana, is taking place two kilometres away from the centre of the town in an area where few civilians live. Tags Diabaly, Ansar al-dine, Sanda Ould Boumana Mali about 4 hours ago The French president reaffirmed on Wednesday that the military intervention in Mali was "necessary". Addressing journalists during the traditional New-Year's wishes ceremony at the Elysee palace, President Francois Hollande said his decisive actions halted the spread of militants in the region. "This decision that I took on Friday was necessary. If it hadn't been taken, it would have been too late. Mali would have been captured entirely, and the terrorists would have been in a position of strength not only in Mali, but also able to put pressure on all countries of West Africa." Mali about 5 hours ago Ivory Coast President and ECOWAS chairman Alassane Ouattara said on Wednesday that he hoped for support from all European partners in the struggle against al-Qaeda linked rebels in Mali, according to AFP news agency. "I would like this action to be supported by all Europeans. It was urgent to act and I congratulate (French) President (Francois) Hollande but everyone has to mobilise," said Ouattara at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. http://blogs.aljazeera.com/liveblog/topic/mali-15936