Washington, Jumada II 21, 1434, May 1, 2013, SPA - The Pentagon has deployed a small number of troops to Mali to support allied forces fighting there. About 10 U.S. military personnel are in Mali to provide “liaison support” to French and African troops but are not engaged in combat operations, said Lt. Col. Robert Firman, a Pentagon spokesman. Twelve others are assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Bamako, the capital, he added. --SPA 11:29 LOCAL TIME 08:29 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1105012