Kofi Annan on Mali, Algeria and hostage rescue mission

18 January 2013 Last updated at 06:58 ET Help

The Algerian action to rescue hostages was "well intended" said Kofi Annan, adding it was "the sort of action, I would have expected them to take".

The former UN secretary-general said he wanted the international community to stand by Mali and help the state liberate its territory.

He was debating the issues in Mali and Algeria with Andrew Neil, Michael Portillo and Alastair Campbell on BBC One's This Week.

Watch the full programme on BBC iPlayer (UK only)

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