Monday, January 21, 2013

Not a surprise: Egypt's Morsi opposes French intervention in Mali

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Egypt's Islamist president says he is opposed to France's military intervention in Mali, saying it creates a "new conflict hotspot" that will separate the Arab north from its African neighbors to the south.

Addressing an Arab summit that opened Monday in Saudi Arabia, Mohammed Morsi also declared his support for Algeria against threats to its security — a reference to Islamic militants' takeover of a gas complex last week in the nation's remote southeast. Thirty-eight hostages and 29 militants died in the attack.

The Masked Brigade, the group that claims to have masterminded the takeover, has warned of more such attacks against any country backing France's involvement in Mali. French forces there are trying to help stop an advance by Islamic extremists.