The first European Union (EU) contingent, comprised of 70 military instructors, arrived in Mali on Friday under the auspices of the European Training Mission (EUTM), said the head of the contingent.

The head of the first European contingent Colonel Bruno Heluin told the media in Bamako that the mission will help in "reforming Mali's army so that it can be able to safeguard the country's national territory and respond rapidly when called upon."

The training which will be conducted by 200 trainers from 15 European countries, will last for 15 months and aim at training 4 battalions.

The colonel said that a section of the contingent will remain in Bamako to be in contact with the chain of command and the other will be deployed to Koulikoro, which is situated about 60 km from Bamako, for training.

The EU decided to dispatch hundreds of trainers to reinforce the capacity of the Malian army, following a request for support by the country's senior military officials, who wanted their soldiers to be well trained and equipped to fight against rebel groups in northern Mali.