Egypt says Mali intervention will inflame conflict

RIYADH (Reuters) - Military intervention in Mali will aggravate strife in Africa and risk alienating the rest of the continent from its Arab north, Middle East power Egypt said on Monday.

France and several African states have sent troops to combat Islamist fighters who control northern Mali, responding to a request from the Malian government and fears that the vast desert country could become a launchpad for attacks by religious militants.