UK to send 250 troops to Mali for peacekeeping operations

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain is to send 250 troops to the West African nation of Mali next year as part of a United Nations peacekeeping operation, the defence ministry said on Monday.

"In one of the world’s poorest and most fragile regions it is right that we support some of world's most vulnerable people and prioritise our humanitarian and security efforts in the Sahel," defence minister Penny Mordaunt said.

"UK service personnel will work with our partners in the region to help promote peace by combating the threat of violent extremism and protecting human rights in Mali."

(Reporting By Andrew MacAskill)