NEW : Malian President Timbuktu visits the historical city of Timbuktu . NEW : Residents give him a camel as a gift . Mali , once overrun by militants , is now under control of Malian forces . The French -led offensive against militants in northern Timbuktu started a day .
NEW : French President Francois Hollande visits the historical city of Timbuktu . NEW : Residents give him a camel as a gift . Timbuktu , once overrun by militants , is now under control of Malian forces . The French-led offensive against militants in northern Mali started this month .