France's Hollande hails 'unprecedented' turnout in calm Malian election

French President Francois Hollande on Monday hailed a successful and massive vote to elect a new president in Mali , the first after a military coup that plunged the West African country into long conflict. In a statement released by the president's office, the Elysee, Hollande welcomed "a smooth progress of Malian presidential election marked by a significant mobilization and with no major incidents." On Sunday, Malians turned out in a large number to vote in a presidential election which mirrored "...the return of constitutional order after the defeating the terrorists and the territory's liberation." "The unprecedented participation ... demonstrates Malians' commitment to democratic values. This is an opportunity and a symbol," French president stressed. In January, France launched air and ground operation in its former colony at the request of local authorities to help oust Islamist insurgents from the Malian main northern region.