Mali coup leader rejects possible Ecowas intervention

Mali's coup leader has rejected the intervention of foreign troops in the rebel-held north - and hinted at his continuing role in ruling the country.

The comments come just days after a deal was brokered that is supposed to return the West African state to constitutional rule.

The parliamentary speaker is to be sworn in this week as interim president and the junta hand over power.

Mali was plunged into crisis after a separatist uprising that led to a coup.

The putsch, led by Capt Amadou Sanogo, took place nearly three weeks ago amid accusations from the army that the government had not done enough to suppress the insurrection in the north that began in January.

Since the coup, key towns in northern Mali have fallen to Tuareg separatist rebels and their Islamist allies.

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