BAMAKO, July 2 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday he hoped a West African regional force aimed at combating Islamist militants and criminals in the arid Sahel region would be operational within weeks.
He spoke after a summit of presidents from Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Niger - the G5 Sahel bloc - which is setting up the multi-national force which will function along side French and U.N. missions in the region.
(Reporting by Joe Bavier; Editing by Andrew Heavens) ((joe.bavier@thomsonreuters.com; +225 07074101; Reuters Messaging: joe.bavier.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
He spoke after a summit of presidents from Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Burkina Faso and Niger - the G5 Sahel bloc - which is setting up the multi-national force which will function along side French and U.N. missions in the region.
(Reporting by Joe Bavier; Editing by Andrew Heavens) ((joe.bavier@thomsonreuters.com; +225 07074101; Reuters Messaging: joe.bavier.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))
