Germany says it’s prepared to help Mali mission

BERLIN: Chancellor Angela Merkel says Germany would be prepared to take part in a European mission to train Malian security forces and give them logistical support as they try to win back the country's north from militant Islamists.
European Union members are considering a noncombat training mission to help the Malian government. Merkel said Monday that Germany is prepared to help with such a mission and also consider providing “material and logistical support.”
Merkel said at a German military conference near Berlin: “Free democratic states cannot accept international terrorism gaining a safe refuge in the north of the country.”
Islamist groups linked to Al-Qaeda became the de facto rulers of northern Mali — an area the size of France — in June after forcing secular groups to beat a retreat.