Obama Authorizes $10 Million for Mali Refugees

U.S. President Barack Obama authorized the use of $10 million in emergency funds on Thursday for people displaced by the conflict in northern Mali, the White House adding it was "deeply concerned".

The funds will support efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, White House National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor said.

Already, almost 230,000 Malian refugees have fled to Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Niger, while an additional 155,000 Malians are internally displaced, he said in the statement.

Leaders in Mali, formerly one of West Africa's most stable democracies, are discussing the formation of a unity government to deal with a crisis which has seen the country split in two.

The north of Mali is in the hands of Islamist fighters and a Tuareg separatist faction, and has seen the destruction of ancient World Heritage treasures in Timbuktu by hardliners.

"The United States is deeply concerned about the situation of the Malian people," Vietor said. "We call on all parties to support the restoration of democratically elected civilian governance in Mali as soon as possible."

Vietor also called on rebels in northern Mali to renounce any connection with terrorist groups and enter into legitimate political negotiations.

"In addition, we urge all parties to ensure neutral, impartial, and unhindered humanitarian access to all populations in northern Mali," he said.