Niger\'s National Security Council meets over situation in Mali

Niger's National Security Council met on Monday under the leadership of President Mahamadou Issoufou to discuss the participation of Nigerien army in the international force to be deployed to neighboring Mali to dislodge terrorist groups. The director in the office of the president, Hassoumi Massaoudou, said the meeting in Niamey was meant to "examine the latest development of the situation in Mali." On Wednesday, President Issoufou summoned an extraordinary session of Parliament to discuss about Niger's intervention in northern Mali, which is occupied by groups allied to Al-Qaida. The country's Defense Council and the cabinet are set to meet on Jan. 15 to discuss the preparation of Nigerien forces to fight against the terrorists in Mali. Niger has agreed to send to Mali 500 soldiers under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States. Speaking on Monday to a foreign radio station, the Nigerien president said, without giving a precise date, that the Nigerien contingent will be deployed soon to Mali.