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Global

France says forces in Mali seize airport, bridge at rebel-held Gao


    KONNA, Mali (Reuters) - French forces in Mali have seized the airport and the bridge over the Niger River at the Islamist rebel-held stronghold of Gao, the French Defence Ministry said on Saturday.

    French and Malian forces have advanced rapidly against Islamist militant fighters holding the Saharan north of the West African state after France intervened earlier this month at the request of the Malian government.

    (Reporting by James Regan, David Lewis; Writing by Pascal Fletcher)