"A French jet was scrambled to support the Malian troops and struck a Malian vehicle, either because it was too close or it was poorly marked, " he said.

NPR: Mali Army: Suicide Bomber Kills 1 In Timbuktu

Several residents reported a French jet firing on rebel positions.

BBC: Timbuktu clashes between Mali army and Islamists

Originally made famous by Bridget Bardot in the 1950s, this French Riviera town still holds the heart of jet-setters, models and celebrities alike.

FORBES: Where Billionaires Choose To Dock: The World's Most Expensive Arenas

In 1994, French anti-terrorist police stormed a hijacked jet at Marseille, killing all four Islamic fundamentalist hostage takers and saving the lives of some 170 passengers and crew.

CNN: Thursday,

Because he was competing in the French Open on Sunday, Olazabal hired a private jet to get him to the qualifier and was unable to squeeze in a practice round.

BBC: Olazabal faces fight to make Open

But new Silvercrest jet engines under development by Snecma, a French manufacturer, will be delivered with no designated TBO.

FORBES: New Technology Brings Business Jet Operating Costs Back To Earth

The British-based Messier-Dowty unit of French state-owned firm Snecma, would build the Boeing jet's landing gear, a substantial and expensive part of any aircraft.

BBC: Dogfight over $200bn air contract

Until now, the main French effort against the rebels has been aerial bombardment of their positions using jet fighter planes and helicopters.

BBC: Mali: French troops head north into unknown

The French aviation company Dassault took their lead from eagles, when designing their latest business jet, the Falcon 7X.

CNN: Aviation industry learns from nature