Mediators in the ongoing Mali political crisis have called for a power-sharing deal and a new constitutional court to try to resolve the impasse. This is following one of their latest bid on Sunday aimed at calming the situation that is threatening to go out of control.

After days of talks with the government and the opposition, mediators from the 15-nation Economic Community of West African States proposed the current ruling coalition make up 50 percent of a new unity government.

The proposed 30 percent should be members of the opposition and the remaining 20 percent from civil-society groups.

Mali is in the grip of an unprecedented political crisis, one of the most serious since the landlocked West African country gained independence from France in 1960.

It was hit by a coup in March 2012 - and a rebellion in the north that has caused alarm around the world.

The former colonial power has now deployed troops after an appeal from Mali's interim president.

(With input from agencies)