Norway has for the moment rejected a French request to send special forces to Mali, citing a lack of political support at home, the government said Monday.

France has been seeking international support for a French-led force of elite soldiers to operate in Mali, a plan dubbed Operation Takuba.

"We are concerned by the worsening situation in the Sahel and we well understand the need to set up the Takuba task force," Defence Minister Frank Bakke-Jensen sid in a statement.

"The government examined it very carefully and consulted the Storting (Norway's parliament)."

Given the lack of support in parliament, they had concluded that Norway would not take part for the moment.

Last week, Sweden announced it would send up to 150 soldiers to Mali to support the French operation.

The force is intended to operate alongside Malian troops on the ground.

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