Mali has asked a private Russian military company to help to fight against insurgents, the Interfax news agency reported on Saturday, citing Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov.

The Russian government has nothing to do with this cooperation, RIA news agency quoted Lavrov as saying.

European Union ties with Mali could be seriously affected if it allows Russian private military contractors to operate in the country, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said earlier this week.

TodayNG