Troops from 13 African countries that took part in the French-led war against al Qaida-linked extremists in Mali marched with the French military during the Bastille Day parade in Paris to honour their role in the conflict.

Military jets trailing exhaust in the red, white and blue of the French flag opened Francois Hollande’s first Bastille Day parade as president on Saturday and parachutists gliding in on chutes in the same patriotic colours ended it, thumping down on Paris’ famed Champs-Elysees in front of the new French leader.

Prosecutors asked a court today to sentence a man accused of trying to shoot President Jacques Chirac in 2002 to six to eight years in prison as jurors began deliberating on a verdict.

FRENCH president Jacques Chirac today rang four men to thank them for saving him from an assassin's bullet.