Victory against terrorism in Mali victory for Africa

French President Francois Hollande on Sunday took pride in his country's involvement in the military operations in Mali, saying that victory in the war against terrorism there would be victory for all Africa. In a speech marking the Bastille Day, or the National Day of France, he said the French troops play a crucial role in backing the Malian forces in the war against Muslim radicals. "We won the battle against terrorism in Mali but we will not have to fight elsewhere. Our intervention in Mali came in response to a request from the government of a friendly country and was backed by Europe and the international legitimacy," he pointed out. France has to take pride in this achievement which drew praise from around the continent, the French leader affirmed. Earlier today, Hollande opened a military parade from the Champs-Elysees to the Concorde Square on the occasion of the Bastille Day which falls on July 14. France has 4,000-strong military force alongside with African peacekeepers deployed in northern Mali since January, 2013, in the wake of insurgency; the African country is scheduled to hold general elections late this month.