More than 300 UK troops set for Mali mission

There are no plans for British troops to take on a “combat” role in the front-line in the war between Islamist fighters and the Malian government, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said.

However, up to 40 British personnel could be deployed inside Mali itself with a further 200 poised to train troops from other African countries for the mission, Number 10 said.

Some 70 personnel are already in the region operating a Sentinel spyplane, while 20 RAF crew are staffing a transport plane carrying equipment from France to Mali.

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