Operation End Stage France in Mali

                            

French President Francois Hollande said the country's military forces carrying out combat 'final phase' against militants in the north of Mali.

He said there had been a great battle in the mountains Ifoghas region, where the alleged hideout Al Qaeda members who joined in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

In a press conference in Paris, Saturday (23/2), the President Hollande said 'tough battle' took place in the north of Mali, near the border Alzajair. "This is the last phase of the process (in the mountains Ifoghas) where possible AQIM forces together," he said.

Hollande pay tribute to Chad troops for their efforts against militants the same area. "Our colleague from Chad to attack yesterday which caused many deaths," added Holande. "I want to reward the actions of the citizens of Chad."

Chad Thirteen soldiers and about 65 militants were killed in fighting on Friday (22/2), according to the Chadian army. The Chadian government has pledged to send 2,000 troops as part of the support of the international leaders of the Mali (Afisma).

The latest fighting occurred between militant Islamists and the Tuareg tribe in the In-Khalil area, close to the town of Tessalit.

A secular group of Tuareg, MNLA, who want to separate themselves in the Sahara and Sahel, Mali, Libya, Alzajair, Niger and Burkina Faso - have allied with the Islamists, but now joining forces led by France.

France deployed about 4,000 troops since Jan. 11, to help the Malian government against Islamic militants who control the north of the country since last year.