Algeria strengthens military ties with Mali

The move followed a recent visit to Algeria by Mali's defence minister, during which he had talks with Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika.

"This aid is rich and varied. I can tell you, for example, that it includes fuel for our troops, sleeping bags for special operations forces and even weapons," a source close to the army chiefs of staff said.

A second military source said the army was expecting a total of five planeloads of military equipment from Algeria.

Algeria has in recent months helped broker a settlement between Tuareg rebels active in northern Mail and the government in Bamako.