Mali's Prime Minister Cheick Modibo Diarra has arrived in Paris for talks with senior officials to plan a military intervention to regain control of the country's north from Islamists.

Diarra's office said he was scheduled to meet with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius on Tuesday to plan "French support for reclaiming regions illegally occupied by terrorists."

Tuareg rebels and armed Islamists took control of Mali's north after a coup in the capital Bamako in March.

The French Foreign Ministry said the talks would cover plans for an African-led invasion, efforts to equip Mali's military and a roadmap for political transition.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has decided to send 3,300 troops to reclaim the area if peace talks fail.