France, April 29 -- Jihadists and Tuareg separatists are still positioned in the vast Sahelian country's north, three days after launching a wave of coordinated attacks, in what junta chief Assimi Gota acknowledged was a situation "of extreme gravity".

Goita had made no public appearance or statement for three days, fuelling doubts about his ability to cling to power, but on Tuesday evening - hours after jihadists threatened to blockade the capital Bamako - he made a speech to the nation on state TV.

 "As I am speaking to you, security arrangements have been reinforced. The situation is under control and clearing operations, search efforts, intelligence gathering and security measures are continuing," he said.

He urged t...