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 . Islamic extremists carved out a large portion of the north last year , taking advantage of a chaotic situation after a military coup . The French -led offensive against militants in northern Timbuktu started a day .
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 .