PARIS, June 27 (KUNA) -- French authorities in Monday praised a joint anti-terrorist sweep by Mauritania and Mali in the Sahel region and said it encouraged such operations and was working with the member States of the region to track terrorists.
"The operation currently undertaken my Mauritania and Mali... is an example of this regional cooperation which France is heartily calling for in the face of the terrorist threat," the French Foreign Ministry said.
"We praise the determination of the involved countries," it added.
A number of French citizens have been murdered by radical elements claiming to belong to "Al-Qaida for an Islamic Maghreb (AQIM)" and five French nationals are still being held by this group after they were kidnapped in Niger.
They are believed held in the mountains of Mali.
AQIM claimed the execution of one French hostage last year and two other Frenchmen were killed in a rescue attempt earlier this year.
France has held extensive talks with countries of the region in an effort to coordinate action against AQIM, which has designated France a priority target because of its deployment of 4,000 soldiers in Afghanistan and its support for Algeria.
A French spokesman said on Monday that Paris was acting on three levels: a strong policy of bolstering economic and social development in the region through bilateral relations; a policy of encouraging a determined European Union commitment to the Sahel and, lastly, encouraging reinforced ties between the countries of the region. (end) jk.hb KUNA 271850 Jun 11NNNN