Biden praises French action in Mali

PARIS, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden Monday praised French President Francois Hollande for displaying "decisiveness" by sending French troops to Mali.

Biden is on a five-day trip to Germany, France and the United Kingdom to meet with world leaders.

In Paris, Biden and Hollande discussed a wide range of issues, including Mali -- where French troops helped rout Islamic militants -- Iran and its nuclear program, the Middle East peace process, the economy and climate change.

"Let me say again on behalf of the president, the people of the United States, we applaud your decisiveness and I might add the incredible competence and capability of your French military forces," Biden said at a joint appearance before the press in reference to the situation in Mali.

"We agreed on the need to as quickly as reasonably possible establish -- the establishment of an African-led international mission to Mali, and to as quickly as is prudent transition that mission to the United Nations."