French ambassador to the UN Gerard Araud made the request during a Security Council meeting.

 

　　"We are asking to the Secretary-General to make a report before the end of March about the modalities, the feasibilities, the conditions of the creation of a peacekeeping operation."

 

　　Araud added that a stabilization force is in urgent need in Mali.

 

　　"France is asking for a peacekeeping operation because it is very clear that we want to leave as soon as possible. I think the other members of the Security Council consider also that after the French leaves, it will be necessary to have a stabilization force because basically we will have to rebuild the Malian army."

 

　　Mali's Tuareg rebels seized control of northern Mali last year but were pushed back by al Qaeda-linked Islamist groups.

 

　　A French-led military operation which began last month has driven insurgents from northern towns and is now focused on the remote northeast mountains and desert.