Cote d'Ivoire's President Alassane Outtara urged on Wednesday the international community to launch a rapid military operation to end Malian crisis.

"A rapid response is urgent because northern Mali is occupied by terrorists, drug traffickers, there are risks for the entire sub-region, the continent and even for Europe," Ouattara told broadcaster Europe 1 in an interview.

Asking the UN Security Council to give its green light to use force needed to oust Islamits insurgents from the west African country in December, Cote d'Ivoire's leader envisaged a possible intervention in first quarter next year.

"We are able to intervene and the troops are under training," he added.

In October, the UN Security Council passed resolution authorizing preparation for the deployment of an international military force in Mali. Another resolution will be hammered out based on West African countries' "detailed and actionable" military plan.

Mali, a former French colony, has been struggling to stay as one united nation since a military coup in March when hardline Islamists and Tuareg rebel forces seeking an independent homeland took advantage of the chaos and seized control of the north.