Kerry meets Hollande to discuss Mali crisis, Syria

US Secretary of State John Kerry met French President Francois Hollande in Paris on Wednesday to discuss the crisis in Mali on the third leg of a European tour so far dominated by the Syrian conflict.

Kerry, who has hailed France's "successful" mission in Mali, will also hold talks with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and address a joint press conference in the afternoon.

He then flies to Rome fora "Friends of Syria" meeting on Thursday. The conflict has claimed 70,000 lives, according to the United Nations.

Kerry spent just over an hour at the Elysee Palace presidential residence on Wednesday morning.

The US has sent several Predator drones to Niger, Mali's eastern neighbour, to back the French offensive. "That backing was very important, it helped us. We really appreciate it," a French diplomat said.

French officials said the other main items on the agenda were the nuclear programmes of Iran and North Korea, which have sparked global alarm, as well as the dragging conflict in Syria.

Citing US and European officials, the Washington Post newspaper said the White House is mulling a major policy shift on Syria and is toying with the idea of supplying rebels with direct aid like body armour, armoured vehicles and even military training.