France extends Mali presence until May

French National Assembly on Monday voted in favor of the government’s request to extend military operation in Mali to May.

“France must help Mali to win the peace,” French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said, formally requesting the extension of the Serval operation, as required by the Constitution after four months of military intervention.

By sending 500 French soldiers back home for now, France still maintains 4,000 troops in the West African country.