French Defense Minister Gerard Longuet said the declaration of independence in northern Mali was meaningless if it was not recognized by African states.

CNN: Mali coup leader agrees to return power

But French Defence Minister Gerard Longuet, speaking on French radio, conceded that ousting Col Gaddafi would be "certainly" beyond the scope of the existing UN resolution, and could require a new Security Council vote.

BBC: Libya: Obama, Cameron and Sarkozy vow Gaddafi must go

When two more soldiers were shot dead on March 15 in Montauban, north of Toulouse again by a gunman with a .45-caliber weapon who police said escaped on a Yamaha TMAX the case was elevated to national priority, Mr. Longuet said.

WSJ: France Shooting Suspect Killed in Police Raid