Mali's foreign minister Abdoulaye Diop has called on the UN to withdraw its peacekeeping force from the country without delay.<br />''<br />'' Addressing the UN Security Council, he based his statement on the accusation that the force, Minusma has become a part of the problem in fuelling inter-communal tensions. Minusma currently has more than 13,000 troops.<br />'' <br />''Mr. Diop spoke of a crisis of confidence between the Malian authorities and Minusma. His criticism of Minusma followed earlier Malian objections to France's long-standing involvement in Mali.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Minusma's mandate is due to end on June 29, but UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has recommended that the mission be reconfigured to focus on a few limited priorities. In response to Abdoulaye Diop's statement, an official from the UN said that it is extremely challenging to operate in the host country without their consent.</span><br />