Mali leader flies to France for health checks after attack

Bamako, 24 May – (ANA) - Mali's interim leader Dioncounda Traore was flown to France yesterday for medical checks after he was attacked by protesters this week, Mali's government spokesman said.

Traore suffered facial injuries when hundreds of protesters broke into the presidential palace on Monday. The full extent of his injuries was not clear but two diplomatic sources said he was due to have checks on his pacemaker.

Hamadoun Toure, Mali's interim government spokesman, said on state television the medical visit had been long planned and Traore would return once he was cleared by his doctor.

Junta supporters want coup leader Captain Amadou Sanogo to take over the role of interim president from Traore, after a 40-day deadline imposed on his leadership by the junta expired on May 22. Security forces dispersed a meeting scheduled at a sports stadium in the capital on Wednesday afternoon by supporters of the junta. (ANA)

FA/ANA/24 May 2012-------