The head of the African Union has called on Germany to increase its contribution into the French military mission in Mali.
Thomas Boni Yayi is also the president of Benin. Deutsche Welle reports he made the request during talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin.
He also wants NATO to consider a military operation there, similar to its intervention in Afghanistan.
So far Germany's involvement is limited to providing air transport for African forces heading into Mali, but Mrs Merkel has promised to provide equipment and training for those troops.
Deutsche Welle reports Mr Boni Yayi recently increased the number of Beninese troops in the ECOWAS contingent in Mali from 300 to 650.
