The Malian transition government said on Monday that it has decided to create a special security unit comprised of 1,200 elite officers to provide protection for the republican institutions.

A government statement noted the decision was in response to the legitimate concerns raised by the leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), following the attack of the transition president Dioncounda Traore in his office on May 21, 2012.

The statement indicated the special forces who will be placed under the direct authority of the president, will provide security for the president, the prime minister, speaker of parliament, and the heads of other republican institutions.

"They will come from the latest squad whose pass-out parade from the national police training school was held on July 5, 2012, " the statement added.

After agreeing with the transitional president Traore, Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra sought the support of other countries to offer special training to the elite squad, besides reinforcing their logistical and material equipment.