France Praises Election in Mali

Former Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubakar Keita in the lead

France has hailed Mali's presidential election, the first since a coup and an Islamist-led insurgency which it helped repel, a "great success".

Ex-Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubakar Keita's supporters celebrated in the capital, Bamako, as they predicted an outright win for him in Sunday's vote.

The state broadcaster said Mr Keita was in the lead, as votes are counted.

He had pledged to restore Mali's honour after it was forced to rely on France to fight the Islamists.