France is hosting talks on Mali's post-war development, two months after sending troops to battle Islamist militants in the north of the country, reports the BBC.
Malian and French officials in Lyon are discussing how to ensure militants do not launch fresh attacks on civilians.
As France prepares to pull out its troops from Mali, it says improving living conditions are also a priority.
France intervened after the al-Qaeda-linked militants threatened to march on the capital, Bamako.
Islamist groups took over major cities, including Gao, Kidal and Timbuktu, and imposed strict Islamic law in the aftermath of a coup in March 2012.
Since the French-led intervention began, this territory has been recaptured with the help of Malian, Chadian and other African troops.
But fighting is still continuing in the northern mountains of the country.
Read more of this report from the BBC.