French-led troops surround Timbuktu

French-led troops in Mali yesterday surrounded the historic city of Timbuktu, after capturing the airport from militant Islamists, officials said.
The troops encountered no resistance as they headed towards the city, where a building housing ancient manuscripts has reportedly been set on fire.
French and Malian troops have been pushing north in their offensive against Islamist rebels.
On Saturday, they seized Gao, the most populous city in northern Mali.
Islamists seized the north of the country last year, but have been losing ground since French forces launched an operation earlier this month.
Most militants appear to have fled into desert hideouts, says the BBC's Thomas Fessy in the capital, Bamako.
The advance comes as African Union (AU) leaders are meeting to discuss sending more troops to Mali.
Our correspondent says ground forces and paratroopers have been despatched around Timbuktu and it is believed that these troops are cautiously trying to find a way into the city.
French army spokesman Col Thierry Burkhard told the BBC that "substantial airpower" had been used to support about 1,000 French and 200 Malian forces in their offensive against the militants in Timbuktu.
"Overnight, the French have retaken access points to Timbuktu," he said.