Mali says France violating its airspace to 'spy' on troops

BAMAKO (Reuters) - Mali's military rulers have accused the French army of repeatedly violating a controlled airspace over the country's centre and north to "spy" on its forces, the latest escalation of tensions between Paris and Bamako.

In a statement late on Tuesday, the military government said that over 50 breaches of the West African country's airspace had been recorded since the start of the year, mainly by French-operated aircraft.