Observers feared a bomb attack in the Malian capital, Bamako, or in a Francophone West African city where French nationals usually represent the biggest expatriate community.

BBC: Is France under attack in Africa?

As French forces, with the backing of the international community, go into the West African country to take on Islamist rebels, the coming weeks will tell us whether fate just gave to him the best or the worst opportunity to show the French, and the rest of the world, what he is made of.

CNN: Opinion: Why Hollande must show clearer leadership

The French were the most bullish in supporting military intervention by ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States), but the scale of the task was recognized as enormous.

CNN: France vows to halt jihadist charge in Mali