Latest fighting in northern Mali has left one French soldier and 20 rebels dead.<br/> <br />Video released before the French regiment came under fire shows troops conducting search operations as they secure control of a region formerly controlled by Islamist rebels.<br/> <br />The soldier was only the second French military casualty since Paris deployed troops to the region<br/> <br />Around 4,000 French troops, backed by the Malian army and several thousand troops from other African states, have driven Islamist rebels deep into the mountains in the north.<br/> <br />Elsewhere in northern Mali - these pictures show French and Malian troops driving abandoned trucks with Russian-made rocket launchers left behind by the rebels.<br/> <br />France's Defence Ministry says the seized equipment shows how well-prepared these rebels were for their battle to take over Mali.<br/> <br />French leaders have said they intend to begin pulling their troops out and handing over to U.N backed forces in March.
