France, West African to unite forces in fight against Islamist militants - joint statement

West African leaders on Monday expressed their firm desire that France continues its military engagement against Islamist militants in the region and the two sides agreed they would place their forces under one umbrella.

In a joint statement between France, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mauritania, the six leaders said they would focus their efforts against Islamic State in the Greater Sahara and urged the United States to continue its logistical support of their forces.