According to media reports, France wants to purchase two Reaper reconnaissance drones from the US air force to bolster its military mission in Mali. The use of drones in the fight against terror puts new challenges to the law of war, the left-liberal daily Libération notes: "As perfected as these unmanned aircraft are, they are responsible for the loss of hundreds of civilian lives, men, women and children, collateral damage in this shadow war. ... France has ordered two American Reaper drones, officially destined for reconnaissance but easy to transform into killing devices. Without an official announcement or a debate on how they are to be used. Will they serve to kill members of Aqmi [Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb] according to the American model? States have the right and duty to defend themselves, but drones operate in a legal void that the 'war against terror' cannot justify." (19/05/2013)
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