David Cameron was yesterday forced to deny Britain will place Army ‘boots on the ground’ in Mali. Ministers were ordered to the Commons to stress that UK troops would not ‘undertake a combat role’ in the crisis in West Africa, amid fears they could be sucked into a long, bloody conflict . The Prime Minister has offered logistical air assistance to France, whose troops have joined government forces in fighting Islamic fanatics in its former colony. David Cameron hailed the C-17 transport plane, pictured at RAF Brize Norton, before news emerged that one of the aircraft had broken down at  French airbase . Mr Cameron fears the country’s . insurgent-held northern desert could become a haven for terrorists to . plan and launch international strikes. Two RAF C-17 Globemaster  aircraft . have been deployed to  transport French military vehicles, kit and . supplies to their war-torn former colony. The giant planes will fly to the capital Bamako and the deployment is scheduled for seven days. But Defence Minister Andrew Robathan . alarmed critics by admitting that this ‘could increase’ - prompting . accusations that they are risking ‘mission creep’ with any escalation of . UK involvement in the military operations against the rebels. Britain has offered transport plans to help the French government, which last night bombed targets near the northern Malian city of Gao . French soldiers equip a French Rafale jet fighter with "Mica ER" missiles at the Saint-Dizier military base before its departure for a mission in Mali . Ministers confirmed that a detachment of around 10 British military personnel were in Bamako to meet the aircraft. And it is understand that UK Special Forces have also deployed to the conflict zone. In the Commons, Shadow Foreign . Minister John Spellar said: ‘Is this viewed as a one-off British . contribution, or does this mark the beginning of a phased engagement . which could see further British capabilities play a part in future?’ Support: English soldiers listen to a colleague as they load French material in an aircraft. David Cameron has decided to send troops to support an offensive by Mali government forces against Islamist rebels . Help: David Cameron agreed to provide assistance after a telephone call from President Francois Hollande (left) Reprisals: A soldier (centre) adjusts chains to an armoured vehicle load. The Prime Minister was warned the decision to transport foreign troops and equipment to the warzone could provoke reprisals in the UK . Mr Cameron agreed to provide two cargo planes to the French armed forces to fly vital kit and supplies to Mali . Africa Minister Mark Simmonds (pictured left) said Britain is 'only providing limited logistical support'. The action comes as French intelligence agent Denis Allex (right) is feared dead . Labour’s Peter Hain, a former Cabinet . minister, warned that Britain risked being dragged into a ‘long drawn . out and difficult morass’. Mr Cameron told Radio 4’s Today programme: . ‘There is a very dangerous Islamist regime allied to Al Qaeda in control . of the north of that country. ‘So we were first out of the blocks, . as it were, to say to the French “we’ll help you, we’ll work with you . and we’ll share what intelligence we have with you and try to help you . with what you are doing”.’ France launched its air offensive after al-Qaeda rebels made advances in the key Mali city of Konna . A police officer and firemen walk at the scene of the fire. The town of Konna was recaptured following three days of fierce clashes . Onlookers walk past a fire at Ngolonina market in the Malian capital of Bamako. The fire was started after an accident at a gasoline depot as France launched air strikes against Islamist militants . He agreed to free up the RAF transporters after speaking to French president Francois Hollande on Saturday. In a statement to Parliament, Africa . Minister Mark Simmonds said: ‘We must not allow northern Mali to become a . springboard for extremism.’ Britain is also considering sending . Army officers to train Malian soldiers to fight against the Islamists . and coordinate training, logistical and intelligence support for a . 3,000-strong African peacekeeping force. Military action: French Mirage 2000 D aircraft fly over Mali, after taking off from the French military base of N'Djamena, in Chad . Forced to act: A fighter jet refuels above the skies of Mali. French President Francois Hollande has said he had to take action against the terrorists who 'show a brutality that threatens us all' Mr Cameron was speaking on the fourth day of France’s intensive bombardment against militant positions. France deployed around 550 soldiers to . Mali and began a wave of ferocious air strikes to thwart an advance by . Islamist rebels on Friday following a request from the country’s . president.
PM warned that decision to transport foreign troops and equipment to the warzone could provoke reprisals .
He has agreed to provide two cargo planes to fly kit and supplies to Mali .
Cameron defends being 'first out of the blocks' to offer help .
No.10 insists British troops would not join the military mission .
France sent 550 soldiers and launched air strikes to thwart advance by Islamist rebels but says mission will only last 'weeks'
First British plane delayed by technical fault, MoD reveals .
David Cameron was yesterday forced to deny Britain will place Army ‘boots on the ground’ in Mali. Ministers were ordered to the Commons to stress that UK troops would not ‘undertake a combat role’ in the crisis in West Africa, amid fears they could be sucked into a long, bloody conflict . The Prime Minister has offered logistical air assistance to France, whose troops have joined government forces in fighting Islamic fanatics in its former colony. David Cameron hailed the C-17 transport plane, pictured at RAF Brize Norton, before news emerged that one of the aircraft had broken down at  French airbase . Mr Cameron fears the country’s . insurgent-held northern desert could become a haven for terrorists to . plan and launch international strikes. Two RAF C-17 Globemaster  aircraft . have been deployed to transport French military vehicles, kit and . supplies to their war-torn former colony. The giant planes will fly to the capital Bamako and the deployment is scheduled for seven days. But Defence Minister Andrew Robathan . alarmed critics by admitting that this ‘could increase’ - prompting . accusations that they are risking ‘mission creep’ with any escalation of . UK involvement in the military operations against the rebels. Britain has offered transport plans to help the French government, which last night bombed targets near the northern Malian city of Gao . French soldiers equip a French Rafale jet fighter with "Mica ER" missiles at the Saint-Dizier military base before its departure for a mission in Mali . Ministers confirmed that a detachment of around 10 British military personnel were in Bamako to meet the aircraft. And it is understand that UK Special Forces have also deployed to the conflict zone. In the Commons, Shadow Foreign . Minister John Spellar said: ‘Is this viewed as a one-off British . contribution, or does this mark the beginning of a phased engagement . which could see further British capabilities play a part in future?’ Support: English soldiers listen to a colleague as they load French material in an aircraft. David Cameron has decided to send troops to support an offensive by Mali government forces against Islamist rebels . Help: David Cameron agreed to provide assistance after a telephone call from President Francois Hollande (left) Reprisals: A soldier (centre) adjusts chains to an armoured vehicle load. The Prime Minister was warned the decision to transport foreign troops and equipment to the warzone could provoke reprisals in the UK . Mr Cameron agreed to provide two cargo planes to the French armed forces to fly vital kit and supplies to Mali . Africa Minister Mark Simmonds (pictured left) said Britain is 'only providing limited logistical support'. The action comes as French intelligence agent Denis Allex (right) is feared dead . Labour’s Peter Hain, a former Cabinet . minister, warned that Britain risked being dragged into a ‘long drawn . out and difficult morass’. Mr Cameron told Radio 4’s Today programme: . ‘There is a very dangerous Islamist regime allied to Al Qaeda in control . of the north of that country. ‘So we were first out of the blocks, . as it were, to say to the French “we’ll help you, we’ll work with you . and we’ll share what intelligence we have with you and try to help you . with what you are doing”.’ France launched its air offensive after al-Qaeda rebels made advances in the key Mali city of Konna . A police officer and firemen walk at the scene of the fire. The town of Konna was recaptured following three days of fierce clashes . Onlookers walk past a fire at Ngolonina market in the Malian capital of Bamako. The fire was started after an accident at a gasoline depot as France launched air strikes against Islamist militants . He agreed to free up the RAF transporters after speaking to French president Francois Hollande on Saturday. In a statement to Parliament, Africa . Minister Mark Simmonds said: ‘We must not allow northern Mali to become a . springboard for extremism.’ Britain is also considering sending . Army officers to train Malian soldiers to fight against the Islamists . and coordinate training, logistical and intelligence support for a . 3,000-strong African peacekeeping force. Military action: French Mirage 2000 D aircraft fly over Mali, after taking off from the French military base of N'Djamena, in Chad . Forced to act: A fighter jet refuels above the skies of Mali. French President Francois Hollande has said he had to take action against the terrorists who 'show a brutality that threatens us all' Mr Cameron was speaking on the fourth day of France’s intensive bombardment against militant positions. France deployed around 550 soldiers to . Mali and began a wave of ferocious air strikes to thwart an advance by . Islamist rebels on Friday following a request from the country’s . president.
that UK troops would not ‘undertake a combat involvement in the military operations against against Islamist rebels . Help: David Cameron warned the decision to transport foreign troops and equipment to the warzone could provoke reprisals in the UK . Mr Cameron agreed to provide two cargo planes to the French armed forces to fly vital kit and supplies to Mali . north of that country. ‘So we were first out of France launched air strikes against Islamist ferocious air strikes to thwart an advance by .