DEVELOPING STORY: ECOWAS sends 5 defence chiefs to warn Mali Junta

Lagos, Nigeria (PANA) - West African leaders meeting at an extra-ordinary summit in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, Tuesday decided to send five chiefs of defence staff to Mali to convey to the soldiers who seized power last week the consequences of their action, sources at the summit told PANA.

The mission, which is due in Bamako Wednesday, will also emphasize to the military junta the need for it to hand over power, while reminding it of the consequences of refusal, such as sanctions, travel ban and ultimately military action.

The extra-ordinary summit in Abijan was called following last Thursday's military coup that toppled the democratically-elected President of Mali, Ahmadou Toumani Toure.
-0- PANA SEG 27Mar2012