Mali has summoned France’s ambassador to Bamako over comments by French President Emmanuel Macron it said were “unfriendly”.
It is the latest clash between France and its former colony since reports Mali could recruit Russian mercenaries.
Paris is gradually withdrawing its 5,000-strong Barkhane counter-terrorism mission in the Sahel, a region that includes Mali.
The country’s prime minister, Choguel Maiga, has accused France of abandoning the joint fight against extremist insurgents.
Last week, Mr Macron rejected the charge and questioned the legitimacy of the Malian authorities overseeing a transition to elections after two coups in little more than a year.
In response, the Malian foreign ministry said it had summoned the French ambassador to inform him of the authorities’ indignation and disapproval.
At the meeting, Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop “strongly protested” Mr Macron’s “regrettable remarks, which are likely to harm the development of friendly relations”, the ministry said.
Mr Diop called for both sides to take a constructive approach and prioritise countering the insurgency.
Violence in the Sahel, a vast swathe of arid land that borders the southern edge of the Sahara, has intensified in recent years despite the presence of thousands of UN, regional and western troops.
Diplomatic and security sources have said Mali’s year-old military junta is close to recruiting Russian private military the Wagner Group, and France has launched a diplomatic drive to thwart such a move, saying it would be incompatible with a continued French presence.
On Sunday, Algiers withdrew its ambassador to Paris over “inadmissible interference” in Algerian affairs.
COPA DEL REY
Semi-final, first leg
Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')
Second leg, February 27
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
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Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Zayed Sustainability Prize
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The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
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Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
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Thursday UAE v Ireland; Saturday UAE v Ireland; Jan 21 UAE v Scotland; Jan 23 UAE v Scotland
UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (c), Ashfaq Ahmed, Ghulam Shabber, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Boota, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Shaiman Anwar, Ahmed Raza, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Naveed, Amir Hayat, Zahoor Khan
