International envoys in Rome will discuss Mali

International envoys are scheduled to meet in Rome to discuss Mali on December 7.  The country has been the site of an ongoing battle between different militant groups for several months. According to Romano Prodi, the UN envoy to the troubled Sahel region, the meeting is expected to focus on co-ordinating positions against terrorism, humanitarian issues, encouraging dialogue, and reinforcing political structures that could help set up a new round of elections. The international envoys include representatives from the UN, the African Union, France and several other countries. Islamist militants linked to al-Qaeda took advantage of the chaos surrounding the March overthrow to seize the northern part of the country. The recent disturbances in the region have troubled leaders in Europe, who fear Mali could turn into a platform for militant attacks.