A convoy¹ of about 30 armoured vehicles set out on Tuesday for Diabaly, 350km to the north, a town captured by the rebels on Monday.

 

The first units of an African force are set to arrive on Wednesday to bolster²（支持） the French.

 

France intervened last Friday to halt the Islamists' drive to the capital.

 

 

Islamists entered Diabaly on Monday, taking the town from Malian forces.

 

French war planes have since attacked the rebel positions.

 

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian confirmed on Wednesday that French troops had headed north.

 

The BBC's Mark Doyle in Bamako says the convoy of armoured personnel carriers set out with guns at the ready; at some points along the road, people gathered to wave at the French soldiers.

 

Mr Le Drian has admitted that Malian forces around Diabaly have been struggling to combat well-armed rebels.

 

He also admitted that the central town of Konna had not been recaptured by government forces as had earlier been reported.

 

He said: "We are up against a determined adversary that is well-equipped and has not given up, but we have hit them hard with our strikes, including those deep in their territory."

 

Our correspondent says the French or their allies in the Malian army need to take control of both Konna and Diabaly if their campaign is to advance.

 

France has some 800 troops on the ground in Mali and defence sources said their numbers were expected to increase to 2,500.

 

However, France has been pushing hard for the deployment⁵ of a West African regional force.

 

Regional military commanders began a meeting in Bamako on Tuesday, agreeing the swift deployment of troops.

 

A company of 190 Nigerians will be the first to arrive, on Wednesday.

 

Nigeria will lead the force, with 900 troops. Benin, Ghana, Niger, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Togo have also pledged to take part.

 

The West African force will total about 3,300 under a UN Security Council resolution.

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