A French soldier has been killed in Mali, bringing the total number of French fatalities in the military campaign launched in January against jihadist groups to six, reports BBC News.
A statement said the soldier - a commando from a parachute regiment - died in the far north of the West African nation.
Six French soldiers have been killed since France launched an operation in Mali in January to drive Islamist rebels from the northern desert region.
France began withdrawing some of its 4,000 troops earlier this month.
But 1,000 will remain for now to pursue al-Qaeda linked militants while other international forces concentrate on securing the main cities and roads.
Some towns and cities have been recaptured by French soldiers but a number of Islamist fighters are believed to remain in their desert hideouts in the north.
The UN recently agreed to create a 12,000-strong peacekeeping force for Mali.
It will incorporate 6,000 West African soldiers already in the country.
Read more of this report from BBC News.