Malian President urges countrymen to close ranks against rebels. Mali's president Amadou Toumani Toure on Wednesday urged his countrymen to close ranks and face Tuaregs of Malian origin who have returned from Libya after the fall of Libyan leader Muammar Kadhafi.

In a televised address, President Toure called on Malians "to keep a sense of brotherliness to avoid falling into the trap of confusion set by those who chose to disturb the country’s peace".

The Malian Head of State was referring specifically to events organized by the youth of Kati, 15 km from Bamako, where the country has its largest military camp, when youths ransacked and looted the property of Tuaregs in retaliation for atrocities committed in recent days by Tuareg rebels in northern Mali.

"Let no one (do) this confusion," he told his countrymen.

President Toure strongly condemned the atrocities committed in Aguel'hoc in the Kidal region in the far north of the country and praised "the heroic and professional armed and security forces who at the cost of their lives accomplished their mission of protecting people".

On 24 January, the attackers backed by elements of al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and other groups perpetrated atrocities against civilians and military in Aguel'hoc, sparking the indignation of Malian authorities and the people.

Pana 03/02/2012