Malian, French, UN Forces Begin Operation Against Islamists

Day after suicide attack

BAMAKO (Reuters) - French, U.N. and Malian forces on Thursday launched a joint operation against Islamists across northern Mali a day after a suicide attack killed two Chadian peacekeepers in the desert zone.

"It's an operation to sweep identified areas in the three northern regions. It will last as long as is needed," said Lieutenant-Colonel Souleymane Maiga, spokesman for Mali's army.