US ambassador praises Mali president's commitment to national reconciliation

BAMAKO, Mali – The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations says Mali's president has voiced commitment to national reconciliation and strengthening ties with the country's north, which fell under the control of al-Qaida-linked Islamic extremists following a military coup in 2012.

Ambassador Samantha Power spoke to journalists Monday evening as part of a two-day mission to Mali by the U.N. Security Council.

President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita met with the delegation Sunday.

France launched a military intervention in January 2013, scattering the Islamic extremists and enabling Mali to hold successful presidential and legislative elections. However, security in the north remains precarious, and one objective of the Security Council visit was to accelerate peace talks with all communities in the region.

The delegation met with civil society representatives from the north on Sunday in Mopti.