A British team of about 40 military advisors are to be sent to Mali, BBC reported citing government sources.

The decision is likely to be confirmed at a meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, Jan 29.

Separately, officials are meeting in Ethiopia where they are expected to approve plans to send about 170 British troops to neighboring states to train African forces for use in Mali.

French-led troops have taken Timbuktu in their operation against Islamists.

Downing Street has said the number of British troops likely to be sent to Mali to train forces there remains in "the tens" and would be part of an EU-led mission.

It said there was no question of British units getting involved in fighting. But the UK has made clear to France that it is ready to offer more help towards its operations there.

RAF C17 transport planes are already flying French equipment to Mali, and the UK has also contributed a Sentinel reconnaissance aircraft for intelligence gathering.