U.S. backs ECOWAS role in Mali

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WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Washington is working with members of an African bloc to develop a comprehensive strategy toward the conflict in Mali, a U.S. State Department official said.

Foreign and Islamic rebels declared autonomy for northern Mali following a series of political upheavals early this year. A U.N. human rights official said northern rebels had carried out "systemic" abuses that include executions, mutilations and stoning.

Victoria Nuland, a spokeswoman for the State Department, said Washington was working with the Economic Community of West African States on an appropriate response to the crisis in Mali.

"ECOWAS itself is working to refine its proposal for how it would take its mission in Bamako, expand it, take it into the north, and we look forward to supporting that as part of a larger comprehensive strategy toward Mali," she said.

Mali's central government in Bamako last month agreed to host a 3,000-troop strong military unit backed the West African alliance. ECOWAS forces would help a divided country address the insurgency in the north.

"Our understanding is that the French are also working with ECOWAS to help them to develop that plan and to bring it forward to the (U.N.) Security Council for support," said Nuland.