France's president has received a major prize from the United Nations' cultural organization for his decision to send troops to Mali in January, BBC News reported.
Francois Hollande was awarded the annual Felix Houphouet-Boigny Peace Prize by UNESCO at a ceremony in Paris.
The president of the jury praised Hollande for the "solidarity shown by France to the peoples of Africa".
The decision was criticized by some human rights groups, who noted the continuing unrest in Mali.
Earlier, the Malian army said its soldiers had clashed with Tuareg separatists near the northern town of Kidal, killing several rebels.
