UN chief proposes peacekeeping troops in Mali

Up to 11,200 peacekeeping troops could maintain stability in Mali under a new U.N. proposal.And up to 1,440 police could also participate in a U.N.-led mission there, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in a report to the U.N. Security Council released Tuesday.Under the proposal, the West African multinational force currently in Mali would eventually become part of the U.N. stabilizing mission."The proposed authorized military strength of 11,200, based on seven mobile infantry battalions and a reserve battalion with enablers for the geographic and threat environments, provides for a security presence in the major population areas assessed to be at high risk," the report said.The peacekeeping troops proposal was one of two options Ban floated in the report.Under the other option, the United Nations would focus on political and development activities there, according to a report of CNN.