Stambouli had signed for French third division side Istres after failing to agree terms with Togo.

BBC: Stambouli U-turn on Togo

The U.S. C-17 transport planes began flights from the French base in Istres, France, to Bamako.

NPR: US Begins Transporting French Troops To Mali

Defender Noureddine Kacemi, who recently moved to French side Istres from Raja Casablanca, was also included in the squad.

BBC: This camp is a golden chance for promising players

Flying at subsonic speed, the needle-nosed jet flew without passengers on Saturday from a military air base in Istres, near Marseille, and landed at Paris' Orly Airport.

CNN: Concorde compensation deal near