BEIJING, Jan. 31 (Xinhuanet) -- French-led troops in Mali have seized an airport in the northern city of Kidal. The capture comes as France steps up operations to help wrest northern Mali from rebel hands.

France’s Defence Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, says French forces defied a sandstorm late on Tuesday to capture the airport. But so far they have been prevented by the bad weather from entering the city itself.

Kidal is the last urban stronghold held by Islamist insurgents. France has deployed some 4,500 troops in a three-week ground and air offensive to break the rebels’ hold on major northern cities.

Over the weekend, French and Malian troops retook the major trading towns of Gao and Timbuktu. France’s foreign minister says French forces will leave Mali soon, after they successfully take control of Kidal.

(Source: cntv.com)