PARIS/ATHENS - A French soldier was confirmed dead in military operation in northern Mali, French President Francois Hollande said in Athens on Tuesday.
"A legionnaire from the 22nd parachute regiment has died in a clash with Islamists in northern Mali," said Hollande, who is in a visit to Greece.
According to earlier reports, large-scale military operations in Mali "are coming to an end," Malian Prime Minister Diango Cissoko said on Tuesday follwing talks with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius.