Addis Ababa - The African Union (AU) is planning to deploy a 7 500-strong multinational military force to fight the Nigerian radical Islamist group Boko Haram, Radio France Internationale reported on Friday.
About 15 AU heads of state meeting in Addis Ababa late on Thursday agreed they would ask the United Nations to set up a trust fund to provide the multinational force with logistical and financial support.
AU chief Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma had previously called for stronger action against Boko Haram, which she described as a threat to the entire African continent.
The fight against Boko Haram topped the agenda of a two-day AU summit which was opening officially on Friday.