Britain deploys troops to assist French intervention in Mali

Cameron ‘fully supports’ France’s campaign against Islamists London – Selim Karam British Prime Minister David Cameron has told French President Francois Hollande that his country is "keen" to provide France with further military help in its ongoing campaign to repel Islamist Militias from Mali , the Guardian newspaper reported late on Monday.
Cameron dispatched Sir Kim Darroch, his national security adviser, to Paris on Monday to discuss exactly what help Britain could provide.
Britain initially put two Royal Air Force [RAF] C17 transporter aircraft at the disposal of France for the transport of troops and material to Mali. Britain has also sent one RAF Sentinel surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft to Senegal to help with the mission, according to the Guardian.
Downing Street said Cameron made his offer of further help in a telephone call with Hollande on Sunday evening.
A spokesperson said: "The French president gave an update on the progress that Mali and French forces have been making. He also thanked the Prime Minister for the transport assistance which the UK has provided."
The spokesperson added: "The Prime Minister made clear that we fully support the French government's actions working with the Malian government at their request to deny terrorists a safe haven in Mali. The Prime Minister went on to explain that we are keen to continue to provide further assistance where we can, depending on what French requirements there may be.”
"With regard to that, the UK national security adviser is in Paris today for discussions with French authorities on what further assistance we may be able to provide to them,” he continued.
The spokesman said Britain's position on having no combat role in Mali remained "absolutely unchanged.” But he said No 10 was prepared to provide more help "around logistics, intelligence and surveillance support.”
The Guardian had reported that a small number of British special forces soldiers are accompanying French forces in Mali in an advisory capacity.