"I am going to Mali tomorrow to support our soldiers and to encourage them and to say that France is proud of them," Hollande said.
During the visit, he will meet with the President of Mali, Dionkund Traore. Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense and Development Laurent Fabius, Jean-Yves Le Drian and Pascal Canfen will arrive in Bamako with the French President.
Hollande told journalists today that he will visit Mali in order to contribute to the political dialogue in that country, since "terrorists have been driven out" and to restore stability there.
There are currently 4.600 French soldiers in Mali, of which 3.500 are engaged in the operation that began on January 11. As the Islamists, who have controlled the north of Mali for months, launched an offensive to the south, Hollande authorized airstrikes in the country.
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