Rebel troops who have taken power in Mali said Thursday "a transitional president" would be appointed, who would be drawn from either civilian or military ranks.

In an interview with the TV channel France 24, junta spokesman Ismael Wague said, "We are going to set in place a transitional council, with a transitional president who is going to be either military or civilian. We are in contact with civil society, opposition parties, the majority, everyone, to try to set the transition in place."