Islamist commander Abdelhamid Abou Zeid has been killed in fighting in Mali, the French presidency has confirmed.

BBC: File picture of Abdelmalik Abou Zeid

Chad has said that, along with Abdelhamid Abou Zeid, veteran Islamist leader Mokhtar Belmokhtar was also killed.

BBC: Mali conflict: French troops 'dismantle al-Qaeda base'

The announcement follows Friday's declaration by Chadian President Idriss Deby that his troops had also killed Abdelhamid Abou Zeid, another top rebel leader in Mali.

WSJ: Chad Army Says It Killed Key Terrorists