Mali is preparing for the planned international intervention in its desert north being seized by rebels, with a national sensitization seminar kicked off for support or understanding by citizens.

The seminar of Mali's civil society actors opened on Thursday in the capital Bamako in the run-up to the deployment of an international standby force of more than 3,000, which will be made up mostly of soldiers from the West African bloc ECOWAS.

Most of Malians are awaiting the adoption of a new resolution by the UN Security Council to authorize the deployment of the ECOWAS-led force including the Malian army.

The regional bloc worked out a plan to intervene late last month after the Security Council asked it to produce detailed steps for the operation to restore Mali's territorial integrity and constitutional rule.

Rebels including separatists and Al-Qaida linked terrorists seized northern Mali in the aftermath of the March 22 military coup, sparking widespread fears of a haven for Al-Qaida's North African branch AQIM and drugs and human trafficking.

In a statement, organizers said the objective of the forum is to "inform and sensitize the Malian civil society organizations about the intentions of international organizations and the ongoing actions or those that will be undertaken to liberate the country's northern region."

The sensitization will also touch on mechanisms needed to ensure that the Malian crisis is resolved.

In another development, Mali's Defense Minister general Yamoussa Camara visited some of the army barracks in Bamako on Thursday.

During his visit, Camara reiterated that soldiers who had deserted the army would not be allowed back.

"For those who deserted the army, they can return to the country if they wish, but they will not be reintegrated into the army," he said.