video transcript

PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL A state of emergency has been declared in Mali, as forces battle Islamist rebels. French troops have joined the fight after militants linked to al Qaeda captured the town of Konna. In a national address on Friday (January 11), interim president Dioncounda Traore called on all Malians to play their part. SOUNDBITE: DIONCOUNDA TRAORE, INTERIM PRESIDENT, MALI, SAYING (French): "The government of Mali has taken the decision to declare a State of Emergency over the entire national territory. Every Malian, woman and man, must consider themselves a soldier of the nation and act like one." With the help of French airstrikes, Malian troops have reportedly driven back rebel fighters. Traore is expected to fly to Paris for talks with the French president on Wednesday (January 16).