French forces step up efforts in Mali's Gao region

French Col. Emmanuel Dosseur said Monday that his forces don't want to give the impression that they're going to "abandon our Malian friends." France has been talking about reducing its presence in its former colony in the coming months, but also has said it aims to keep about 1,000 soldiers there.

http://www.cortezjournal.com/article/20130408/API/1304080880/French-forces-step-up-efforts-in-Mali