Parly on continued military co-op with Mali forces

French Defense Minister Florence Parly suggested Friday that French and Malian military forces would continue to work together in counterterrorism operations despite this week's coup.

While firmly condemning the coup, she said the French-led Barkhane military operation "is continuing," and France is working with European and regional forces to find a solution to the crisis.

She didn't elaborate on how French and Malian troops are cooperating.

Parly was speaking in Germany after talks with her German and British counterparts.

French and U.N. soldiers patrolled the streets in Mali’s northern city of Gao on Friday, amid concern over the prospect of further tension. .

The U.N. has a mission of 15,600 soldiers in Mali, and France has about 5,000 troops in its Operation Barkhane.

Both forces say they are there to try to stabilize the country amid increasing attacks from Islamic extremists.