Mali to UN: Consider rapid intervention force in region to avoid 'hordes of terrorists'

UNITED NATIONS – Mali's foreign minister is urging the United Nations to consider creating a rapid intervention force to fight extremist groups in its troubled north, warning that the troubled African country "once again runs the risk of becoming the destination of hordes of terrorists."

Abdoulaye Diop spoke to the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday via videoconference.

Concerns about the U.N. mission in Mali are high after 10 of its peacekeepers have been killed in separate attacks in less than a week.

The U.N. peacekeeping chief has called the situation "intolerable" as French troops in northern Mali draw down, leaving peacekeepers largely on their own in the rebellious region.

Herve Ladsous says the rate of attacks has increased substantially and that with the "quasi-disappearance" of Mali's forces, "we cannot face the threat alone."