PM Diarra forced to quit by junta

Mr Diarra went on TV at 4am to announce his resignation.

He was seized by the military in his home some six hours earlier, forced into a car and taken to the Kati military camp.

The forced resignation indicates that the military junta is still the real power in Mali, despite the supposed handover of power by coup leaders to the political Establishment.

The seizure of the north of the country by Islamists in the wake of the coup provided a haven for groups said to be linked to al-Qaida, according to the European Union.

EU foreign ministers on Monday approved the concept of an EU "training mission" in Mali to ready an attempt by Malian and other African troops to wrest back the north.

But Germany is now indicating that the arrest of Mr Diarra may obstruct the plan.

"Our offers of help come with the condition that the process of restoring constitutional order in Mali be conducted credibly," German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said.

"And it is only that way that the crisis in northern Mali can be resolved.

"All the country's political leaders must now act responsibly so that Mali returns to stability."

But interim Prime Minister Dioncounda Traore is unlikely have the power to bring the military to heel.