Ametetai,a Major Al-Qaeda Base in Mali  has been dismantled  by French forces .

France’s defence minister  ,Jean-Yves Le Drian told Europe 1 radio from Mali on Friday that a “very impressive” arsenal of weapons had been recovered from the site, Ametetai, in the Ifoghas mountains.

“We knew this part of Mali was potentially the sanctuary of AQIM (al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb), and we weren’t wrong,” he told Europe 1 radio

The French forces found AK47s, grenade launchers and pick-ups hidden in natural caves. “I hadn’t expected this to such an extent,” he added.

“We’re dealing with resolute and heavily-armed terrorists, who are engaging in significant fighting, and we have been able to inflict heavy damage on them.”

Mr Le Drian toured Ametetai during his surprise visit to Mali on Thursday.

During his tour he  stated that  the final phase of military intervention would continue throughout March and be scaled down in April.

France  has 4,000 troops in Mali .In January this year ,French  troops  intervened militarily  in the Mali conflict amid fears the rebels were preparing to advance on Bamako.

By UP