Bahrain donates $10m in support of Mali

Bahrain is to pump $10 million into the United Nations' two support funds for the Malian defence and security forces and the Forces of the African-led International Support Mission in Mali (AFISMA). The package was announced by Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa in a speech given during the International Donors Conference on Mali which convened today at the African Union headquarters in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. The kingdom's contribution stems from its strong belief in the need to back regional and international efforts to support Mali, preserve its sovereignty and territorial unity and protect its rich national heritage. More than 60 countries are taking part in the conference which is part of international efforts to support Mali following the UN resolution 2085 which was issued last December.