Trudeau discusses Mali UN peacekeeping mission with Macron, Jean

PARIS — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended Canada’s decision to take part in the ongoing UN peacekeeping effort in Mali.

Trudeau made the remarks Monday alongside Emmanuel Macron following a Paris meeting with the French president, who has made the African country a priority for his government.

Trudeau said Canada’s new approach to peacekeeping — focusing on promoting roles for women, dealing with child soldiers, concentrating on training and more targeted deployment of resources — suits the modern era, which is defined by unpredictable perils posed by terrorism and outside actors.

Earlier Monday, former governor general Michaelle Jean, now the head of the Francophonie, thanked Trudeau for joining the Mali mission, which is reeling after a deadly attack by Islamic militants on Sunday. The attack was launched against two bases near Timbuktu, where militants reportedly disguised as peacekeepers set off several suicide bombs and launched rockets at international forces. One peacekeeper was killed and a dozen others were hurt.

Canada plans to send six military helicopters to Mali later this year.