Francois Hollande was awarded the annual Felix Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize by Unesco at a ceremony in Paris.

 

The president of the jury praised Mr Hollande for the "solidarity² shown by France to the peoples of Africa".

 

The decision was criticised by some human rights groups, who noted³ the continuing unrest in Mali.

 

Earlier, the Malian army said its soldiers had clashed with Tuareg separatists near the northern town of Kidal, killing⁴ several rebels. 

 

 

The Houphouet-Boigny prize, created in 1989, is intended to honour people that have made a significant contribution to peace and stability.

 

Other winners include former Irish president Mary Robinson, South Africa's former leader Nelson Mandela and the first president of East Timor, Xanana Gusmao. 

 

President Hollande was presented with a diploma, a gold medal and a cash prize of $150,000, which he will reportedly donate to two relief organisations working in Mali.

 

Joaquim Chissano, president of the deciding jury, said: "Having assessed the dangers and the repercussions⁵ of the situation on Africa and on Mali in particular, as well as on the rest of the world, the jury appreciated the solidarity shown by France to the peoples of Africa."

 

Mali's President, Dioncounda Traore, thanked Mr Hollande and referred to the "humiliation⁶" suffered by people living in the north of of the country before the French troops arrived.

 

Benin President Thomas Boni Yayi meanwhile told the news agency AFP: "If France had not intervened, where would we be? God alone knows."

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