BBC News - Mali and France 'push back Islamists'

President Hollande: "This operation will last as long as necessary"

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Mali: Divided nation

• Can Nigeria take on the Islamists?
• Will the world intervene?
• Waiting for the troops
• On patrol with the Mali army

Government forces in Mali say they have regained territory from Islamist militants following air strikes by the French military.

Malian officials said they had taken back the strategic central town of Konna, which rebels had secured just a day earlier as they pushed south. 

The news came hours after France announced it had begun military operations in support of Mali's army.

FULL ARTICLE HERE: BBC News - Mali and France 'push back Islamists'