Lavrov says Mali asked private Russian military company for help

FILE PHOTO: A general view of the city of Bamako pictured from the point G in Bamako, Mali August 9, 2018. REUTERS/Luc Gnago

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -Mali has asked a private Russian military company to help it fight against insurgents, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday at the United Nations.

Mali's year-old military junta is close to a deal to recruit the Russian private military contractors the Wagner Group, sources have told Reuters, triggering opposition from France, which has said it was "incompatible" with a continued French presence in the West African state.