Mali's elections meant to usher in a return to democratic rule and set for next February could be postponed by "two weeks, two months, a few months", Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maïga has told the French news agency AFP.

The comments seem to confirm widespread fears of a possible extension of the military-led transition government.

Mr Maïga said it was better to organise “peaceful elections, recognised by all, rather than to organise elections that will be disputed".

Debate has been raging in Mali in recent months over whether the country’s military ruler, Col Assimi Goita, will honour a pledge to hold a referendum on a new constitution on 31 October and general elections on 21 February next year.

A radio station based in the northern city of Gao recently said it was increasingly likely that the transition would be extended.

The government could also use the planned withdrawal of French forces from the country to justify an extension of the transition period.

At the UN General Assembly last week, the prime minister accused France of abandoning Mali and said Bamako was seeking other security partners, referring to controversial negotiations with Russian paramilitary companies.

Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the Malian government was turning towards "private Russian companies" to boost its security, seemingly confirming reports that Bamako may be about to sign a security agreement with controversial Wagner group.