Mali: African troops due to arrive in days Some 600 soldiers from Nigeria are expect to arrive before next week, with Burkina Faso, Ghana, Niger, Senegal and Togo sending 500 troops each in the coming days. As France pursued a fourth day of airstrikes against Al-Qaeda-linked forces, the UN said at least 30,000 people have fled the conflict zone and the militants were stopping people crossing into government territory. French troops arrived in Mali on Thursday to halt an advance by extremist fighters - who have controlled the north of the country since March - on the capital Bamako. The United States and Britain are providing logistical help to French forces. Russia and China, meanwhile, have indicated they do not oppose France's blitz against the guerrillas. The Security Council and other international bodies had voiced concerns about when African troops could get to Mali to support the country's enfeebled army, while the United States has expressed doubts about the African force and the capability of the Malian army. Susan Rice, the US ambassador, said the United States has "always had questions" about the West African force and that its concept may have to be completely reviewed. Mali's army launched a coup in March that enabled the rebels to take over the north and has since virtually collapsed. Diplomats said Malian troops melted away in the face of the extremists' advance last week.