The African Union on Friday called on its member states to support crisis-hit Mali and condemned the renewed attacks by Islamist rebels.
AU Commission head Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma called on the 53 states that make up the grouping to "extend the necessary logistical, financial and capacity building support to the Malian Defense and Security Forces".
The AU said it was investigating a way to expedite the deployment of an African-led force to the north of Mali, which was authorized by the UN Security Council last month.