United Nations: United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon says "dialogue is not possible at this time" with Mali`s Islamist insurgents and that the solution to the unrest in the west African country will ultimately depend on political, diplomatic and military means.
The UN chief also praised France`s military intervention in Mali on Tuesday, saying, "I applaud France for its courageous decision to deploy troops following the troubling move southward by extremist groups".
Ban called Mali a political challenge and said that, "It was the coup and the collapse of Mali`s democracy that opened the way for extremists".
He added that military gains must be matched by efforts to restore full constitutional order and legitimacy in the country.
PTI