International Donors Pledge Nearly Half Billion Dollars to Mali

French feeling victorious

Pledges of international aid and military support are flooding into Mali just 2-1/2 weeks after Francelaunched a military offensive in the West African country. And though spirits are high after French forces reportedly took the cities of Gao and Timbuktu in recent days, many warn fully stamping out Islamist rebels in Mali's north and neighboring countries could take years.

Yesterday, close to 1,000 French and 200 Malian troops overtook the airport in Timbuktu, prior to entering the ancient city. Residents told the BBC that the Islamists departed days earlier, after bombs were dropped on their bases there.