Bamako, Mali, Jan 17, 2013 / 00:03 am
French military invention in Mali has "greatly comforted" the country's people who feared jihadist rebels could expand far into the country's south, a Catholic Church official has said.
Father Edmond Dembele, secretary of the Episcopal Conference of Mali, told Fides news agency that Malians had "held their breath" for fear of the success of the rebels.
Now those in rebel occupied territory "look with hope" to the military operations. However, they worry about bombings and do not know what the reaction of the rebels will be when they leave cities like Konna, which they occupied on Jan. 10.
Fr. Dembele said Malians are now waiting for the land offensive.