The French have rejected any parallel with Afghanistan and other quagmires. Fabius, France’s Foreign Minister, has said that "Later on, we can come as back-up, but we have no intention of staying forever," [1] the handover may be slower than anticipated but there is no evidence the French will be in Mali for an extended period.  [1] ‘Mali: France pledges ‘short’ campaign against Islamists’, BBC News, 14 January 2013,