The French defense ministry said Merah had twice tried to join the French military.
The French defense ministry said Merah had twice tried to join the country's armed forces.
The French defense minister has acknowledged that the militants are a determined adversary that is well equipped.
The French Defense Minister, Jean Yves Le Drian, says that "hundreds" of militants have been killed over the last month.
As troops made gains in the region, the French Defense Ministry hailed President Dioncounda Traore's transition plan as a crucial step forward.
Meanwhile, French forces protecting Bangui's main airport opened fire on three cars that were speeding toward a security checkpoint, said the French Defense Ministry.
The French Defense Ministry had no comment Monday on Chad's decision.
Allex was abducted on July 14, 2009, while on a mission in Mogadishu in support of the transitional Somali government, the French Defense Ministry said.
CNN: U.S. supported France's failed hostage rescue in Somalia
Allex was abducted on July 14, 2009, while on an official mission in Mogadishu in support of the transitional Somali government, the French defense ministry said.
The monthlong French offensive has killed "hundreds" of Islamist fighters in Mali, the French defense minister said this week, as his troops prepared to start withdrawing.
"The French troops are being vivacious at Kidal airport, which was taken a little more than a day ago, " said Jean-Yves Le Drian, the French defense minister.
With the support of French forces, the Malians entered and took control of Gao, which for months had been a militant stronghold, the French defense ministry said.
French-led troops now control Timbuktu and Gao cities, along with a swath in between that was an Islamist stronghold for almost a year, the French Defense Ministry said.
The skirmish in Bulo Marer, about 75 miles northwest of the capital Mogadishu, ended with a French soldier and 17 Islamist fighters dead, according to the French Defense Ministry.
CNN: U.S. supported France's failed hostage rescue in Somalia
Nearly 4, 000 French soldiers are now deployed in Mali, according to the French Defense Ministry website, alongside about 6, 300 troops from Chad and the African-led International Support Mission to Mali.
French-led troops now control the cities of Timbuktu and Gao, along with a swath in between that was an Islamist stronghold for almost a year, the French Defense Ministry said.
French-led troops now control Timbuktu and the city of Gao, along with a swath in between that was an Islamist stronghold for almost a year, the French Defense Ministry has said.
French-led troops now control the cities of Timbuktu and Gao, along with the swath in between that was an Islamist stronghold for almost a year, the French Defense Ministry said this week.
Paris (CNN) -- Two French soldiers died and a third was critically injured after being shot by a black-clad man wearing a motorcycle helmet in the southwestern French city of Montauban, the French Defense Ministry said Thursday.
Mogadishu, Somalia (CNN) -- French forces swooped into Somalia for a rescue mission under the cover of darkness, leading to a fierce gun battle with militants who killed the hostage, the French defense ministry said Saturday.
The French defense ministry originally reported one of the two soldiers as missing, but al-Shabaab later posted a photo of his purported corpse to its Twitter feed, saying he had died of wounds suffered during the heated battle that ensued during Friday's operation.
The United States has shared intelligence from satellites and intercepted signals with the French, defense officials said Monday.
The United States already has started sharing intelligence from satellites and intercepted signals with the French, defense officials said Monday.
So far, however, the United States has only shared intelligence from satellites and intercepted signals with the French, defense officials said.
It has proved an excellent work out for Sharapova as she builds up to the French Open defense, with hard fought wins over Lucie Safarova, Ana Ivanovic and Angelique Kerber on the way to the title match.
The United States has promised to help the French effort, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said Monday.
The government also regained control of the main bridge leading into the city, French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said.
The day of the arrests, French Defense Minister Herve Morin was meeting with his American counterpart, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, and with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington on a previously unannounced visit.
He will now look to get fit ahead of the clay court season and his defense of the French Open title.
The chase followed Saturday's attack on a French soldier patrolling in the La Defense business district west of Paris.
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