US raises concerns over Mali's arrest of editor

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — The United States ambassador to Mali says she has concerns about press freedom in the West African nation after authorities arrested a newspaper editor.

Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard told journalists on a telephone conference call Thursday that she and the U.S. had "great concern" about the arrest of Boukary Daou, the editor-in-chief of The Republican newspaper. Leonard said: "There's a vital role for media and we urge the utmost protection of free expression and rights under the law."

Daou was detained by agents from Mali's intelligence service on March 6. His arrest came soon after his newspaper published a letter from an army officer denouncing coup leader Capt. Amadou Haya Sanogo's recently-decreed salary of $8,000 per month, a very high salary in the impoverished country.

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Car explosion in north Mali's Kidal kills 2

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — A resident in the north Malian town of Kidal says a car exploded inside a garage, killing the driver and a security guard.

Mossa Ansary said the explosion on Thursday took place about 800 meters (875 yards) from a French military base. It was unclear if it was a suicide car bombing.

French and Chadian forces are patrolling the city of Kidal, though it remains unclear if the northern administrative capital is secure.

A Mali military spokesman says that late Wednesday Islamic extremists attacked a Gao checkpoint and have made their way into the city. Capt. Daouda Diarra said that fighters with the Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa are trying to gain control of the mayor's office, but the army is trying to repel the attacks.

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