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French defense minister sees progress against Mali terrorism

In an interview with Al-Monitor, French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian speaks about French involvement in Mali and the Central African Republic.

French President Francois Hollande (C), French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius (3rdR) and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (2ndL) inspect arms confiscated from ex-Seleka rebels and "anti-balaka" militia by the French military of operation Sangaris at a French military base in Bangui, February 28, 2014. President Francois Hollande flew to Central African Republic on Friday to tell its leaders and French forces stationed there that France will work to stop the country splitting in two. REUTERS/Sia K
French President Francois Hollande (C), French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius (3rd R) and French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian (2nd L) inspect arms confiscated from ex-Seleka rebels and "anti-balaka" militia at a French military base in Bangui, Feb. 28, 2014. — REUTERS/Sia Kambour

French Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian says that the capacities of armed terrorist groups in Mali have "considerably declined as a result of eight months of military and stabilization operations conducted by the French army, the forces of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali and the Malian armed forces."

Le Drian, who previously served as president of the Brittany region, was appointed defense minister by French President Francois Hollande in May 2012.

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