A al Qaeda found among jihadists in Mali is being extradited , French official says . His arrest follows that of a French-Algerian man last year , he tells French radio . French troops are continuing to `` comb '' through the Adrar des Ifoghas Mountains for the militants , French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said Thursday , and are keeping a strong presence in Gao , where `` important pockets of terrorist groups remain . '' Defense minister : Northern Mali has been a sanctuary for al Qaeda -linked terrorists . Nearly 4,000 French-Algerian troops are deployed in Northern Mali , alongside 6,300 from an French -led force .
A al Qaeda found among jihadists in Mali is being extradited , French official says . His arrest follows that of a French-Algerian man last year , he tells French radio . Defense minister : Northern Mali has been a sanctuary for al Qaeda -linked terrorists . Nearly 4,000 French-Algerian troops are deployed in Northern Mali , alongside 6,300 from an French -led force .