[size=25px][color=rgb(51, 51, 51)]Mali's PM Resigns After Being Arrested by Junta
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By By BABA AHMED and RUKMINI CALLIMACHI Associated Press
BAMAKO, Mali December 11, 2012 (AP)
[/size][size=15px]Soldiers arrested Mali's prime minister and ordered him to resign, showing that the military is still the real power in the capital of this large West Africa country even though soldiers made a show of returning control back to civilian leaders several months after launching a coup in March.[/size][size=15px]Prime Minister Cheikh Modibo Diarra, dressed in a dark suit and his forehead glistening with sweat, went on TV at 4 a.m. to announce his resignation. He was reportedly back in his house Tuesday afternoon under military guard, brought there from a military base.[/size][size=15px]"Our country is living through a period of crisis. Men and women who are worried about the future of our nation are hoping for peace," he said on TV. "It's for this reason that I, Cheikh Modibo Diarra, am resigning along with my entire government on this day, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. I apologize before the entire population of Mali."[/size][size=25px]
Despite the events, planning for a European Union military training mission aimed at giving the Malian army the ability to oust Islamist insurgents who have seized northern Mali will proceed, said Michael Mann, a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton. He added that the EU is watching the situation closely and hopes for the quick appointment of a new prime minister, leading to credible elections and the restoration of constitutional rule.[/color][/size]
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By By BABA AHMED and RUKMINI CALLIMACHI Associated Press
BAMAKO, Mali December 11, 2012 (AP)
[/size][size=15px]Soldiers arrested Mali's prime minister and ordered him to resign, showing that the military is still the real power in the capital of this large West Africa country even though soldiers made a show of returning control back to civilian leaders several months after launching a coup in March.[/size][size=15px]Prime Minister Cheikh Modibo Diarra, dressed in a dark suit and his forehead glistening with sweat, went on TV at 4 a.m. to announce his resignation. He was reportedly back in his house Tuesday afternoon under military guard, brought there from a military base.[/size][size=15px]"Our country is living through a period of crisis. Men and women who are worried about the future of our nation are hoping for peace," he said on TV. "It's for this reason that I, Cheikh Modibo Diarra, am resigning along with my entire government on this day, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2012. I apologize before the entire population of Mali."[/size][size=25px]
Despite the events, planning for a European Union military training mission aimed at giving the Malian army the ability to oust Islamist insurgents who have seized northern Mali will proceed, said Michael Mann, a spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton. He added that the EU is watching the situation closely and hopes for the quick appointment of a new prime minister, leading to credible elections and the restoration of constitutional rule.[/color][/size]
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