Existing UN resolutions would permit French Mali action: source

PARIS: Resolutions already passed by the UN Security Council on Mali would permit a military intervention by France, a French diplomatic source said on Friday as Paris said it would support a Malian request for help.

"With the United Nations resolutions and Mali's request for help, the legal framework for a direct intervention is already there," the source said, after President Francois Hollande said any military support would respect UN resolutions.

"We are following the situation on the ground hour by hour. We are going to see whether this offensive continues or not. France's assistance will depend on the situation on the ground."