French Troops to Begin Withdrawal From Mali Within Weeks

Despite recent clashes and allegations of abuses committed by government forces

PARIS (AP) — France's defense minister says French troop units will start pulling out of Mali within weeks, despite new clashes and challenges in rooting out armed extremists in the West African country.

Extremists linked to al-Qaida seized control of northern Mali last year. France fears the region could become a terrorist haven, and France sent troops Jan. 11 to help Malian forces retake the north.