Muhyiddin, who invited Unesco secretary-general Irina Bokova to Kuala Lumpur to sign an MoU to endorse the co-operation during the launch of the first programme under the initiative in June, said some countries had great achievements in universal primary education while others, especially from the sub-Sahara region, were far from the target.

UNESCO: Malaysia trust fund

Several Nato members, including the US and France, say they will help to train an African force for the Mali operation, but have not offered to send ground troops or launch air strikes.

BBC: Nato forces needed in Mali, says AU's Thomas Boni Yayi

They recruited Anhui native Yin Tongyao, an executive at Volkswagen's Chinese joint venture, to launch the operation, using tools purchased from the outdated factories of established manufacturers.

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