France's president has received a major prize from the United Nations' cultural organisation for his decision to send troops to Mali in January, reports the BBC.
Francois Hollande was awarded the annual Felix Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize by Unesco at a ceremony in Paris.
The president of the jury praised Mr Hollande for the "solidarity shown by France to the peoples of Africa".
The decision was criticised by some human rights groups, who noted the continuing unrest in Mali.
Earlier, the Malian army said its soldiers had clashed with Tuareg separatists near the northern town of Kidal, killing several rebels.
The Houphouet-Boigny prize, created in 1989, is intended to honour people that have made a significant contribution to peace and stability.
Other winners include former Irish president Mary Robinson, South Africa's former leader Nelson Mandela and the first president of East Timor, Xanana Gusmao.
President Hollande was presented with a diploma, a gold medal and a cash prize of $150,000 (£98,000, 115,000 euros), which he will reportedly donate to two relief organisations working in Mali.
Read more of this report from the BBC.