EU Council President and High Rep at sahel virual meeting

EU leaders joined their French and West African couterparts on Tuesday as they took part in a summit on the fight against Islamic extremists in Africa's Sahel region.

The two-day summit began on Monday with leaders of Mali, Burkina Faso, Chad, Niger and Mauritania participating in the discussions along with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Macron may announce a reduction of French troops in Africa's Sahel region that he presented last month as a possible "adjustment" following successes by French forces last year.

France is also counting on an expected greater involvement of other European countries.

The deployment of about 5,100 troops in five West African countries represents France's largest military operation abroad - including 600 additional troops sent last year to step up counterterrorism efforts.

European Council President Charles Michel and EU High Representative Josep Borrell took part in the discussions on Tuesday via video call.