PM Jean-Marc Ayrault: Mali Islamists 'threat to France'

French forces have continued to launch air strikes against Islamist militants in Mali and sent troops to protect the capital, Bamako.

The French troops deployed on Friday after Mali's army lost control of a strategically important town.

French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault described the Islamists militants as terrorists and said that intervention was necessary as they were a threat to Mali, France and the wider world.