(24 Jan 2013)
1. Wide of Malian troops at hilltop observation post
2. Various of Malian troops
3. Tilt up from gun to soldier's face
4. Mid of copy of "Le Democrate" newspaper and walkie-talkie on ground at observation post
5. Low shot of gun and ammunition
6. Travelling shot of French armoured vehicles moving along track
7. Mid of tank manoeuvring
8. Wide of French soldiers walking on track towards Malian troops at observation post
9. Wide of French soldiers shaking hands with Malian troops
10. SOUNDBITE: (French) Captain Julian (surname not given due to French military operational policy), 1st Foreign Legion Cavalry Regiment:
"Absolutely, yes. I should say that we have not had any knowledge of such an issue apart from through the media, and if ever we saw anything like that we would inform our superiors immediately."
11. Various of French troops at observation post
12. Various of French military officers looking at map
13. SOUNDBITE: (French) Captain Julien (surname not given due to French military operational policy), 1st Foreign Legion Cavalry Regiment:
"We will see, we will see on the ground and through our actions I hope that the people will welcome us."
14. Wide of French soldier in silhouette against skyline
15. Mid of Malian soldier in silhouette
16. Wide of Malian soldier in silhouette
STORYLINE:
French forces on Thursday manned an observation post alongside Malian forces just north of Sevare, amid allegations of "summary executions" being carried out in the country.
On Wednesday, a witness told the Associated Press that Malian troops shot people at a bus stop in Konna whom they accused of having ties to radical Islamists and threw their bodies into nearby wells around the time when the French began their military intervention.
The French human-rights group International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) accused Malian forces of dozens of "summary executions" in the area.
The abuse claims have put Mali's government on a new political defensive, urging its soldiers to respect human rights.
However, a French captain from the 1st Foreign Legion Cavalry Regiment, said on Thursday that they did not have any knowledge of crimes being committed.
"If ever we saw anything like that we would inform our superiors immediately," he added.
Human-rights groups have long expressed concerns about retaliatory violence against northern Malians or anyone seen as having ties to the Islamists whose capture of the north has divided the country in two.
French President Francois Hollande authorised a military intervention in Mali two weeks ago and fighter jets have pounded rebel training camps, arms depots and bases.
Since then, the Islamists appear to have fled from the cities, although they still remain firmly in control of much of northern Mali, likely using their desert bases and the area's natural topography, including cave systems in the Kidal region.
The French reinforcements have been welcomed in towns as they move towards an expected, eventual push to Timbuktu.
Troops hope the welcome will be extended as they head further north.
"We will see, we will see on the ground and through our actions I hope that the people will welcome us," said the French captain.
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