At least one person is killed in Mali's northern town of Kidal, held until recently by rebels, following ethnic clashes between Tuaregs and black civilians, ahead of elections next week.

Mali's government signs a peace deal with Tuareg rebels to end conflict in the north in the run-up to elections next month.

Deal would pave way for army and civilian administrators to return to rebel-held region before planned polls next month.

Dialogue with MNLA to focus on the status of the northern town of Kidal and the armed group's disarmament.

Both Tuareg rebels and the army in Mali are accused of committing abuses against civilians because of their ethnic origins.

Malian soldiers clashed with secular separatist Tuareg fighters near the northern town of Kidal, army and rebel spokesmen tell the BBC.

Army takes Anefis village before heading to town held by Tuareg rebels in first battle won without French troops' help.

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Les Forces armées tchadiennes d'intervention au Mali ont libéré Gao, Menaka, Tessalit..

Seven people are reported killed in a car bomb blast in the northern Malian town of Kidal, thought to be aimed at a Tuareg group supporting French troops.