African troops should take over from French soldiers in Mali as soon as possible, European Union foreign ministers said Thursday.
"We hope this will very rapidly become an international operation, supported by the United Nations and particularly involving regional forces," said Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders, whose country plans to support France with military equipment through March 1.
"It is now key that we enable the African troops to carry out their task in north Mali to stabilize the country ...It would be the best relief for France," added German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, noting that an EU training mission is in the works.
But Austria's Michael Spindelegger warned that a transfer to Malian troops will "probably not" be possible soon. The EU's 27 foreign ministers were to be briefed later in the day about the situation in Mali by their French counterpart, Laurent Fabius.