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

The head of France's joint chiefs of staff has said that it is "probable" that Islamist commander Abdelhamid Abou Zeid was killed in fighting in Mali.

BBC: Islamist commander Abou Zeid's death in Mali 'probable'