The UN Security Council has approved the creation of a new peacekeeping force in Mali.
The resolution, proposed by France, has authorised the force, which will see troops deployed in July ahead of elections in the country.
11,200 military personnel and 1,440 police officers will make up the UN force, called Minusma, costing £520m a year.
Its mission will be to stabilise "the key population centres, especially in the north of Mali.... to deter threats, initiate and actively... take active effective... steps to prevent the return of armed elements to those areas".
Russia expressed concerns at the Security Council about recent authorisation to make UN forces in the DR Congo more offensive.
"There must be a clear division between peacekeeping and peace enforcement. This is why we believe that the mandate of Minusma does not provide for offensive operations," said Russian UN ambassador Vitaly Churkin.
A thousand French troops will remain in the country to carry out offensive operations against rebel forces.
