Mali's Interim President Dioncounda Traore who addressed the Nation on Friday through the national television, ORTM, requisitioned all state owned pick-up vehicles and appealed for support for the country's army from companies based in Mali.

Traore urged the mining companies as well as mobile telephone operators to support Mali's army which is engaged in a fierce battle with the Islamists.

He further called on the Malian people to "place the national interests ahead of their own personal agendas."

While noting that the situation in the country was generally still under control, Traore urged the whole nation to rally behind the army, especially after Thursday's attack against the army's defense position at Konna in the southern region of Mopti.

The interim president said that he had requested and obtained aerial military support from France, in conformity to the international agreements.

Traore affirmed that the nation-wide state of emergency which was declared on Friday will last for ten days and it may be extended depending on the situation.

In Paris, the French President Francois Hollande announced on Friday evening that the French forces had supported the Malian army on Friday afternoon against armed Islamist groups in Northern Mali.

He said that the operation was meant to "fight against terrorists and it will go on as long as it's necessary." Hollande noted that the French Parliament would be informed of the operation on Monday.

The French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius announced that the intervention which has been dubbed the International Support Mission for Mali (MISMA), is being carried out in strict adherence to the UN Security Council resolution 2085 and it's aimed at supporting the troops which are currently engaged in the conflict.

He did not reveal the nature and the number of French military personnel, but he affirmed that the French soldiers will be joined by African soldiers.