US vows aid for Mali battle but 'no boots on ground'

The United States stands ready to support France's military assault on Al-Qaeda-linked Islamist rebels in Mali -- but without putting any US troops on the ground, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta said Tuesday. Washington is determined to prevent north African armed jihadist group Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) setting up a base in Mali, and is discussing with France how it can support its efforts, he said.