France criticises deal bringing Russian mercenaries into Mali

FILE PHOTO: French Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian speaks during a news conference with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris, France, June 25, 2021. Andrew Harnik/Pool via REUTERS

PARIS (Reuters) - France's foreign minister on Tuesday criticised plans that would bring Russian mercenaries into Mali, saying such a move was "incompatible" with the French military presence in its former colony.

Diplomatic and security sources have told Reuters that a deal is close between the Russian private military contractor the Wagner Group and Mali's ruling junta for the mercenaries to train the Malian military and provide protection for senior officials.