President François Hollande was acclaimed over the weekend for helping to liberate the country.

French President, François Hollande over the weekend promised his country’s assistance in rebuilding Mali, three weeks after launching an offensive against Islamist rebels who had seized the north of the country. The French leader spoke at the end of a one-day visit to the country on Saturday, February 2, 2013.

Meanwhile, France announced yesterday, February 3, 2013 that it carried out major air strikes near Kidal, the last bastion of armed extremists chased from Mali's desert north. An army spokesman said 30 war planes had bombed training and logistics centres run by Islamist extremists in the Tessalit area north of Kidal, where French troops took the airport on Wednesday, January 30, 2013.

Speaking in the capital, Bamako, on Saturday, François Hollande pledged more French aid to its former colony, BBC reported. The French leader however warned that though the terrorist groups had been weakened, they had not disappeared. He vowed that French troops would remain in Mali as long as it was necessary, reiterating that France would hand over to African troops once the sovereignty of Mali was restored.

The French President also promised to help restore cultural artefacts damaged by the rebels who set fire to about 2,000 priceless manuscripts in Timbuktu, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Voice of America, VOA, reported that President Hollande received an exuberant welcome in Mali. In Timbuktu, several thousand local residents in colourful robes sang and danced, shouting "Thank you France!" and "Papa Hollande!" In Bamako, there were similar scenes with thousands cheering Hollande and waving French flags. "Long live Hollande, long live France!" shouted one Bamako resident, Sidibe Lisa Camara. "Hollande our Saviour!" read one banner.

Such expressions of joy were forbidden by the al-Qaida-linked militants in control of Timbuktu just one week ago. The French leader was accompanied on the whirlwind trip by the Ministers for Defense, Foreign Affairs and Development. He was hailed as a liberator in Timbuktu which French and Malian forces retook from the rebels.

Mali's interim President, Dioncounda Traore thanked Hollande for the French-led intervention. He vowed that together with the French, they will hunt down the terrorists to their last hiding place. Traore defended the Malian army, describing its conduct so far in the campaign as exemplary. He however warned against misconduct, reprisals or revenge killings, saying there will not be tolerated.