UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon warns of Mali volatility

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has warned that the situation in Mali, where Islamist militants are fighting government forces, is becoming increasingly volatile.

His comments came after France announced it had begun military operations in support of the country's army.

Armed groups, some linked to al-Qaeda, took control of northern Mali in April. Regional and western governments have expressed growing concern about the security threat from extremists and organised crime.