Mali's military junta open talks on transition to civilian rule

Country's deposed president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, flying out to UAE for medical treatment

Mali's military junta began talks with opposition groups on Saturday on its promise to hand power back to civilians, after mounting pressure from neighbouring countries in the weeks since it overthrew the nation's leader.

The West African country has long been plagued by instability, a simmering jihadist revolt, ethnic violence and endemic corruption, prompting a clique of rebel soldiers to detain the president, Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, last month.