France: Hundreds of Islamist militants killed in Mali

French forces have killed several hundred Islamist militants in Mali in a month-long conflict, French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian has said.

The militants were killed in air strikes and direct combat with French troops, he said.

France says it intends to start pulling out of Mali in March, and has stressed the importance of African Union forces in ensuring security.

Air attacks and sporadic clashes are continuing in several parts of Mali.

France has deployed about 4,000 troops, and thousands more from the African Union are also there,BBC reports.

French experts had earlier suggested the Islamist alliance could probably muster about 3,000 fighters overall.

Mr Le Drian said Malian forces had also taken prisoners including high-ranking militants who would "have to answer to Malian courts and international justice".

French forces are continuing to carry out air strikes in mountains north of Kidal where Islamists have taken refuge.