US condemns forced resignation of Mali interim PM

The US condemns the arbitrary arrest and forced resignation of Mali Interim Prime Minister Cheikh Modibo Diarra by members of the military junta and reiterates the demand by the international community for an end to the junta's interference in Mali's political affairs, the US State Department said Tuesday night. "These events endanger the anticipated national dialogue and unhelpfully delay a return to constitutional order, and the restoration of the territorial integrity of Mali," the statement said. "They are a clear reminder of the need to hold elections to restore a democratically elected government by April 2013 or as soon as technically feasible." The US underlines "the importance of the respect for rule of law and the guarantee of personal security for all political actors and members of government," it said.