BBC News
The UK has agreed to help transport foreign troops and equipment to Mali amid French efforts to contain rebels.
France has attacked militants in Mali to support the Malian government, and has attempted to rescue a French hostage in Somalia, in recent days.
The UK is to provide two transport planes but No 10 stressed no UK troops would be deployed in a combat role.
Minister for Africa Mark Simmonds has indicated British personnel could play a role in training the Malian army.
He said the UK was only providing "very limited strategic tactical support" in the form of two C-17 transport planes, in response to a French request.
"There are no plans to extend the UK's military at the moment but there are discussions that are taking place that we're waiting for scrutiny from Parliament to, through the European Union, provide training support for the African Union and Ecowas [Economic Community Of West African States] to enable them to give the training they require to push the Islamists out of the northern part of Mali," Mr Simmonds told the BBC News Channel.
