Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov met ?counterparts from the three military-led countries, which all turned to Moscow for support after breaking with France and other Western allies.

The officials welcomed "growing military and military-technical cooperation", including assistance from Russia's paramilitary Africa Corps.

Russia confirmed its intention to continue helping to strengthen the armed forces of the AES member states and of their "Unified ?Force", the statement said.

In April, the regional al Qaeda affiliate and a Tuareg-led separatist group staged attacks across Mali and killed the defence minister. On Saturday they attacked ?numerous army posts.

The statement alleged, without evidence, that "external state actors" including Ukraine and France were involved in attacks in ?the region. Both have denied such allegations.

Lavrov also visited Ethiopia on his Africa tour. A Russia-Africa ?summit is planned for October.

Reporting by Niger newsroom; Additional reporting by Ronald Popeski; Writing by Amindeh Blaise Atabong; Editing by Robbie Corey-Boulet and Kevin Liffey
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