A French Army Land Rover and pallets of rations are seen on a Royal Air Force C17 cargo aircraft as it prepares to leave for Bamako in Mali from Abidjan in the Ivory Coast, January 16, 2013. REUTERS/Andrew Winning

OTTAWA — The French government is still waiting on Canada's answer to its pleas for more help as it tries to beat back Islamist militants in Mali.

Gaelle Essoo, a spokeswoman for France's embassy in Ottawa, said Tuesday they'd yet to receive a definitive answer on whether Canada would extend its one-week offer of a C-17 transport aircraft and help for more airlifts after a request made last week.

Canada's contribution to the mission in the West African nation — if it holds to the promise of one plane for one week — ends Wednesday.

The Conservative government is actively considering the request from the French government but said no decisions have been finalized.

As well as sending the C-17 to Mali to transport equipment and French and African troops, Canada has given $57 million since last March in humanitarian aid to the country.

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