"This advance by the Malian army toward the cities held by their enemies constitutes a certain military success for the Bamako government and for French forces, who have intervened in support of these operations, " French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said.

CNN: United States, Italy lend support for French in Mali

Ambassador DAVID SATTERFIELD (State Department Coordinator for Iraq): Now forces - if the president elects to have them present here - will need to have certain authorities granted them by the Iraqis in order to operate in a combat fashion.

NPR: Negotiating America's Future in Iraq