Mali talks founder on transition to civilian rule

The junta, which calls itself the National Committee for the Salvation of the People, is headed by Col. Assimi Goita, centre. [AFP]

Talks between West African envoys and Mali's new military rulers on Monday failed to yield an agreement on how the country should return to civilian rule after last week's coup, negotiators said.

Separately, both sides said ousted president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita -- whose return to office had initially been demanded by the regional bloc ECOWAS -- no longer wished to govern.