France’s Defence Ministry has said the country’s military forces continued aerial strikes in northern Mali, just a few hours after a visit to the country by President Francois Hollande.

Troops are in control of Kidal airport in northern Mali, seizing a key position in one of three provincial capitals the Islamist militants took last year.

Fourteen European tourists arrived in Germany today, ending a six month ordeal in the Sahara as hostages of a group linked to al-Qaida.