Mali called on the world to stand by it in it its fight against Islamist rebels, as delegates from some 50 countries and international organizations met in Brussels to discuss the situation in the West African state.
"This war was imposed on us. We did not go looking for it," Foreign Minister Tieman Coulibaly told reporters.
"The entire world has to coalesce around us to allow us to chase the drug-dealing jihadists from our territory."
Coulibaly noted that what is happening in Mali constitutes a "global threat" with "security and defence stakes that affect all civilized countries."
France has been leading a military offensive in Mali since January 11 to defeat the rebels who had taken hold of the desert north and had attempted a push further south.
The rebels have been forced to retreat from their urban strongholds. A Malian army source said rebel bases in Kidal have been targeted in French airstrikes since the weekend.
"The strikes continue in the Tessalit and Aguelhok where Islamist bases have been destroyed," the source told dpa.
Ivory Coast's minister for African integration, Ally Coulibaly, warned against any premature "triumphalism," pointing to the risk of an "asymmetric war" developing.
The Brussels meeting is to discuss a political solution for Mali, reports of human rights violations and who will help the Malian army ensure stability after the French mission ends, among other things.
Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, the president of the Economic Commmunity of West African States (ECOWAS) commission, said human rights was "one of the fundamental concerns" of the African-led mission to Mali. Tieman Coulibaly meanwhile warned that the conflict would feature "collateral damage," or civilian deaths.
European Union diplomats said the deployment of United Nations peacekeepers following the French mission was an idea being floated.
African soldiers meant to back the allied Franco-Malian troops have been slow to arrive. Ally Coulibaly said he hoped the conference would help "concretize" the international financing promised for the African-led mission and Malian troops.
International donors last week pledged about 455 million dollars for Mali. Ivorian President and ECOWAS chief Alassane Ouatarra said at least 950 million dollars was needed, with about 10,000 soldiers required to free Mali of extremists.
"The Malian problem is not over until it's over, so all hands have to be on deck," Nigeria's under secretary for African affairs, Gordon Bristol, said. "More help, more assistance, more understanding" was needed from the European Union, he added.
The EU is preparing to deploy a military training mission to Mali and has pledged 68 million dollars to assist the African-led military mission.
French Deputy Development Minister Pascal Canfin said it was ultimately "the responsibility of the Malians" to ensure peace in their country.
"Achieving peace, that happens through a political dialogue," he said.