A Tuareg rebel group in northern Mali has launched an offensive against Islamist fighters. Clashes broke out between the Tuareg MNLA and Islamist militants in the region of Gao. The fighting is taking place as plans by West African states for military intervention in northern Mali gather pace. Thomas Fessy reports.

马里北部一个图阿雷格部族对伊斯兰武装分子发起袭击。图阿雷格部族阿扎瓦德民族解放运动(MNLA)与伊斯兰武装分子在加奥地区发生冲突，战斗发生时，西非国家对马里北部的干涉计划正在快速实施。Thomas Fessy报道。

A spokesman for the MNLA Tugreg-led rebel group has confirmed fighters were on the move with the aim of driving Islamist militants out of the Gao. Moussa Ag Assarid, based in Paris, said the MNLA was keen to pursue talks to end the crisis, but would not negotiate with what he called foreign terrorists. Clashes reportedly erupted on Friday morning near the town of Anzagao.

图阿雷格部族领导的叛乱组织MNLA的发言人证实，武装人员正努力将伊斯兰武装分子赶出加奥。Moussa Ag Assarid在巴黎称，MNLA希望通过对话结束这场危机，但不会与所谓的外国恐怖分子进行协商。据悉周五早晨Anzagao镇附近发生了冲突。

Britain has suspended all aid channeled through the government of Uganda after concerns that funds were diverted to private bank accounts. The British International Development Secretary announced that more than $17m were being withheld following a preliminary audit. The funds will remain frozen until Uganda proves it’s not misusing the aid.