France Backs Military Intervention in Mali

Northern region of the North-African country dominated by militants

United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon has urged nations not to abandon the troubled Sahel region, as it faces rising extremism, human rights abuses and food shortages.

The secretary-general also warned that any military action to deal with Islamist militants in northern Mali should be "considered extremely carefully."

Ban spoke Wednesday during a high-level Security Council meeting on the security and humanitarian situation in Sahel.