It comes as troops secure the key northern city of Kidal.

 

　　French troops are also expected to hand over Timbuktu to African forces this week.

 

　　Meanwhile France is calling for the deployment of the United Nations peacekeeping force to the African country.

 

　　French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius says he hopes the peacekeepers will be in place by April.

 

　　France is still reiterating it has no intention of being in Mali long term.

 

　　Meanwhile, United Nations humanitarian workers are heading to northern Mali to provide aid.

 

　　David Gressly, heads the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Mali.

 

　　"Situation today, is now we have access back into central Mali. We are now able to once again send supplies northwards through Timbuktu. But we're looking out for broader access to northern Mali."

 

　　UN aid efforts were suspended in mid January as the conflicts in central and norhtern Mali intensified.

 

　　It is estimated 500-thousand people in northern Mali are facing food shortages and 230- thousand have been displaced amid the conflicts.