Mali / Appointment of the interim prime minister, Mr. Cheick Modibo Diarra

PARIS, France, April 18, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- France welcomes the appointment of an interim prime minister in Mali, Mr. Cheick Modibo Diarra. Mr. Alain Juppé will convey his congratulations and encouragement to him today.

This appointment is an important milestone in the process to restore constitutional order.

We hope that this achievement will be consolidated by the swift formation of an interim government. France will stand ready to help the latter to prepare for the holding of elections, to re-establish the rule of law in Mali and to find a solution to the crisis in the north through political dialogue that respects the unity and territorial integrity of the country.

We will, like all of our partners, stand alongside the new authorities in order to support them in this task and in the fight against terrorism.