French planes strike Mali-Algeria border    |   Feb. 3, 2013 at
9:32 AM KIDAL, Mali, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- French warplanes bombed
northern Mali Sunday to drive out the last of the Islamic
militants who took refuge near the border with Algeria,
officials said.  The strikes targeted "logistical depots and
training centers" run by the Islamic militants Saturday and
overnight into Sunday, French army spokesman Thierry Burkhard
said Sunday.  Thirty French warplanes conducted the strikes in
the Tessalit area north of Kidal, where French troops overtook
the airport last week, Radio France Internationale reported.
Officials suspect the militants are taking refuge in the area,
specifically in the Ifoghas mountains.  The air attacks came
after French President Francois Hollande's visit to the country
Saturday, reported.  Hollande last month ordered French troops
into Mali to help fight al-Qaida-linked forces that had taken
control of the African country's northern region.  Hollande said
France would withdraw its forces as