The United States is weighing assistance to France as it takes military action against Islamist rebels in Mali, State Department spokesman Victoria Nuland said Monday, dpa reported.
"We share the French goal of denying terrorists a safe haven," Nuland said. "We are in consultation with the French now on a number of requests that they have made for support."
She declined to detail what the French were seeking and said no decision had been made, but Defence Secretary Leon Panetta told reporters that the US military could provide logistical and intelligence support.
Nuland also said the US would work with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to encourage a faster deployment of their troops and was prepared to assist with training.