Mali is asking Russia for help amid a threat to the existence of the state, it is necessary to normalize the situation in the country, said the country's Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop.
"Every time our country has been in a difficult situation, Russia has always been there to help and support. Now we are in such a difficult, complicated situation, and that is why we can turn to our friend for help. The very existence of the Malian state is now under threat.... We are now in a period of transition, we hope to return to a normal constitutional situation as soon as possible," he said in talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
" Of course, there are some preconditions that need to be met in order to normalize the situation. First of all, we are talking about how to secure the situation in the country, the safety of citizens and the security of goods," he said.
The military in Mali arrested interim President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane on May 24 and transported them to the Kati army base near the capital Bamako. Vice President Assimi Goita then said he relieved the president and prime minister of their duties for violating the transitional charter. A military council led by Goita took over the country and announced that presidential and parliamentary elections would be held in Mali next year. Mali's Constitutional Court declared Goita the transitional president.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
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Based on materials from RIA Novosti