Large-scale military operations in Mali "coming to an end": Malian PM

Large-scale military operations in Mali "are coming to an end," Malian Prime Minister Diango Cissoko said here Tuesday.

"The security and military situation is much better than a few weeks ago. Large-scale military operations in Mali are coming to an end. What's remaining is to restore security and stability in the retaken zones," Cissoko said.

The photo released by French Army Communications Audiovisual office (ECPAD) on Jan. 26, 2013 shows French Foreign Legion's soldiers preparing to leave the Mopti military base in Mali, on Jan. 25, 2013. (Xinhua Photo/ECPAD)

Following talks with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius in Paris, the Malian senior official pledged to "end election operations no later than July 31" and invited the different Malian factions to participate in the national dialogue in a bid to outline the country's roadmap to guarantee political stability and boost development in the conflict-torn country.

In a joint press conference, Fabius stressed that military operation in Mali was "in progress as terrorists have not all been killed."

In a statement posted on its website, the defense ministry said 150 French and Malian soldiers, supported by vehicle patrol and Mirage fighter jets, attacked the Adrar des Ifoghas mountains where Islamist insurgents took refuge.

A photo released on Jan. 29, 2013 by French Army Communications Audiovisual office (ECPAD) shows French troops enter with Malian soldiers the histotic city of Timbuktu, north Mali on Jan. 28, 2013. (Xinhua/ECPAD)

"The French mission was able to locate terrorist elements in their hideout, to chase them and to kill more than 20 of them," it added.

One French soldier was killed during the operation, bringing the death toll of French troops in Mali to two since the start of Seval operation in Jan. 11.