Ashton urges 'accelerated international' action in Mali

(BRUSSELS) - EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said Friday that a military offensive by terrorist groups based in northern Mali called for an "enhanced and accelerated" international response.

As Mali government forces went on the counter-attack, Ashton said "this situation highlights the need for enhanced and accelerated international engagement in support of the restoration of stability and state authority throughout Mali, in line with UN resolution 2085."

Speaking as ambassadors from the 27-nation bloc discussed events in the troubled West African state, Ashton condemned "in the strongest terms" attacks by Islamist rebels against Malian forces and their seizure of Konna, a strategically key town between rebel-held and government-held territories.

"I am very concerned about the military movements initiated by terrorist groups," she said amid international alarm over this week's advance by Al-Qaeda-linked rebels from territory they seized in Mali's arid north in June.

She added in a statement that the European Union would "accelerate preparations for the deployment of a military mission to Mali to provide training and advice to the Malian forces".

EU leaders late last year approved setting up a training mission in Mali of 400 to 500 officers, probably half of them trainers, to bolster the Malian army.

A first advance party was expected in Bamako next week with a start-up to the mission anticipated end February, diplomatic sources said.

The EU mission will be headed by French General Francois Lecointre.