French President Hollande pledges to help rebuild Mali

French President Francois Hollande has said his government will help rebuild Mali, three weeks after launching an offensive against Islamist rebels who had seized the north of the country.

Speaking in the capital, Bamako, he pledged more French aid to its former colony and vowed to restore cultural sites damaged by the rebels.

Mr Hollande said France would help Mali re-establish control in the north.

"Terrorist groups have been weakened, but not disappeared," he said.

French troops would stay in Mali "as long as necessary", he added, reiterating that France would hand over to African troops "once the sovereignty of Mali is restored".

Mr Hollande was speaking alongside Mali's interim leader, Dioncounda Traore, who thanked France for freeing the north to from "barbarity and obscurantism".