UPDATE 3-West Africa proposes plan to resolve Mali crisis; opposition unimpressed

(Adds new government posts)
BAMAKO, July 27 (Reuters) - West Africa's regional body on
Monday proposed a four-point plan to resolve Mali's political
crisis that it says should be implemented within 10 days, and
recommended sanctions against anyone standing in the way.
The proposals by the Economic Community of West African
States (ECOWAS) are similar to those previously made by ECOWAS
missions to Mali since the crisis began in early June that have
been flatly rejected by President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita's
opponents, who insist that he resign.
The M5-RFP opposition coalition that has spearheaded
anti-Keita protests was unimpressed by the ECOWAS proposals.
"We take note, but we really believe that this is not the
will of the people, it is not what we expect," said coalition
spokesman Nouhoum Togo, who said it was in the process of
reviewing the recommendations.
Tens of thousands of protesters have answered opposition
calls to take to the streets in recent weeks, raising concerns
the unrest could derail the fight against Islamist extremists in
the region. The demonstrations, caused by contested local elections and
perceived government corruption and incompetence, turned into a
full-blown crisis this month when police killed protesters. At
least 14 people have died in clashes, according to the United
Nations.
West African heads of state met via video link on Monday
following a visit to the country last week initiated after a
previous ECOWAS mission was unable to appease M5-RFP.
"The Heads of State ... express deep concerns on this
situation likely to increase instability in Mali, and in the
sub-region," ECOWAS said in a statement after the meeting.
Their plan recommended that 31 members of parliament whose
elections were contested step down and that by-elections be
held. It also called for the creation of a government of
national unity that would include members of M5-RFP and said
there should be an inquiry on the deaths earlier this month.
Following ECOWAS suggestions, the presidency announced some
key initial posts late on Monday that would form the heart of a
government of national unity, including the ministers of
defence, finance and territorial administration.