UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- The U.N. Security Council said it welcomed regional strategic planning efforts under way to resolve the ongoing political crisis in Mali.
Rebel military forces in April toppled the civilian administration in Bamako after complaining of insecurity in the north of the country. Rebels, some of which are aligned with al-Qaida, have claimed autonomy for northern Mali and aim to establish a strict Islamist state.
Members of the Economic Community of West African States have called on the United Nations to pass a resolution that would permit the use of force to settle issues in Mali, brewing since the April coup.
The Security Council, in a statement, said it "welcomed the ongoing strategic planning efforts and encouraged increased cooperation by ECOWAS with the Malian transitional authorities."
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last week told the Security Council the crises in Mali were "deeply troubling." The International Criminal Court in July started an investigation into possible war crimes committed since April.
A delegation from Burkina Faso met with rebel leaders last week to find a solution to the crisis. Ban, however, said "no meaningful" dialogue had commenced between the Malian government and insurgent groups in the north.
