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Mali conflict: French 'land at last rebel town of Kidal' Mali conflict: French 'enter last rebel town of Kidal'
(35 minutes later)
French forces have landed at Kidal in the north of Mali, local sources say, the last major town they have yet to secure from Islamist militants. French forces say they have entered Kidal in the north of Mali, the last major town they have yet to secure in their drive against Islamist militants.
French aircraft, including helicopters, had arrived overnight and were on the landing strip at Kidal airport, sources told news agencies. A number of French aircraft, including helicopters, had landed overnight at Kidal airport.
One Islamist group said it controlled Kidal and was in talks with the French. Islamist militants were reported to have already left the town and it was unclear who was in control.
French and Malian forces have been sweeping north, earlier taking Gao and Timbuktu with almost no resistance.French and Malian forces have been sweeping north, earlier taking Gao and Timbuktu with almost no resistance.
France - the former colonial power in Mali - launched a military operation this month after Islamist militants appeared to be threatening the south.France - the former colonial power in Mali - launched a military operation this month after Islamist militants appeared to be threatening the south.
'Eradicate terrorism''Eradicate terrorism'
French army spokesman Col Thierry Burkhard confirmed that "French elements were deployed overnight in Kidal".
One regional security source told Agence France-Presse that French aircraft had landed at Kidal and that "protection helicopters are in the sky".
Kidal, 1,500km (930 miles) north-east of the capital Bamako, was until recently under the control of the Ansar Dine Islamist group.Kidal, 1,500km (930 miles) north-east of the capital Bamako, was until recently under the control of the Ansar Dine Islamist group.
However, the Islamic Movement of Azawad (IMA), which recently split from Ansar Dine, said it was now in charge in Kidal, although the Tuareg group - the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad - also claims control.However, the Islamic Movement of Azawad (IMA), which recently split from Ansar Dine, said it was now in charge in Kidal, although the Tuareg group - the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad - also claims control.
An MNLA spokesman told the BBC its fighters had entered the city on Saturday and there were no Islamist militants there.An MNLA spokesman told the BBC its fighters had entered the city on Saturday and there were no Islamist militants there.
One regional security source told Agence France-Presse on Wednesday: "We confirm that French aircraft are on the Kidal landing strip and that protection helicopters are in the sky." A spokesman for the IMA confirmed the French arrival and said that its leader was now in talks with them.
A spokesman for the IMA confirmed the French had taken up positions on the runway and that its leader was in talks with them.
The IMA recently said it rejected "extremism and terrorism" and wanted a peaceful solution.The IMA recently said it rejected "extremism and terrorism" and wanted a peaceful solution.
The MNLA has also said it is prepared to work with the French "to eradicate terrorist groups" in the north but that it would not allow the return of the Malian army, which it accused of "crimes against the civilian population".The MNLA has also said it is prepared to work with the French "to eradicate terrorist groups" in the north but that it would not allow the return of the Malian army, which it accused of "crimes against the civilian population".
Islamist extremists took advantage of a military coup in March last year to control a number of cities in the north and impose sharia law.Islamist extremists took advantage of a military coup in March last year to control a number of cities in the north and impose sharia law.
The French arrival at Kidal came only 24 hours after securing Timbuktu with Malian forces.The French arrival at Kidal came only 24 hours after securing Timbuktu with Malian forces.
The troops had to secure the streets after hundreds of people looted shops they said had belonged to militant sympathisers.The troops had to secure the streets after hundreds of people looted shops they said had belonged to militant sympathisers.
France has been pushing for the swift deployment of an African Union-backed force, the International Support Mission to Mali (Afisma), to take control of Malian towns.France has been pushing for the swift deployment of an African Union-backed force, the International Support Mission to Mali (Afisma), to take control of Malian towns.
On Tuesday, international donors meeting in Ethiopia pledged $455.53m (£289m) for Afisma and for other projects.On Tuesday, international donors meeting in Ethiopia pledged $455.53m (£289m) for Afisma and for other projects.
African leaders say the overall budget could be around $950m.African leaders say the overall budget could be around $950m.
France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told the meeting impressive progress had been made but that this did not mean the danger was over.France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told the meeting impressive progress had been made but that this did not mean the danger was over.
Mr Fabius also said credible elections in Mali would be vital to achieving sustainable peace in the country.Mr Fabius also said credible elections in Mali would be vital to achieving sustainable peace in the country.
Mali's interim President Dioncounda Traore said on Tuesday that he wanted to hold "transparent and credible" elections by 31 July.