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France praises Mali's election as Keita leads France praises Mali's election as Keita leads
(35 minutes later)
France has hailed Mali's presidential election, the first since a coup and an Islamist-led insurgency which it helped repel, a "great success".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.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.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.He had pledged to restore Mali's honour after it was forced to rely on France to fight the Islamists.
France sent more than 4,000 troops in January to regain control of northern towns and cities from al-Qaeda-linked militants.France sent more than 4,000 troops in January to regain control of northern towns and cities from al-Qaeda-linked militants.
The Islamists had captured territory with the backing of Tuareg separatists in 2012, but their alliance quickly crumbled.The Islamists had captured territory with the backing of Tuareg separatists in 2012, but their alliance quickly crumbled.
They had taken advantage of a coup in Bamako after the army accused the civilian government of not doing enough to repel their offensive.They had taken advantage of a coup in Bamako after the army accused the civilian government of not doing enough to repel their offensive.
A UN peacekeeping force was deployed to Mali earlier this month to pave the way for elections, as France began to withdraw its troops from its former colony.A UN peacekeeping force was deployed to Mali earlier this month to pave the way for elections, as France began to withdraw its troops from its former colony.
The elections are intended to reunite the north and south.The elections are intended to reunite the north and south.
Observers said voter turn-out was high in Bamako, but low in the south. Observers said voter turnout was high in Bamako, but lower in the north.
'All-night party''All-night party'
French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said France did not act out of "paternalism" and wanted Mali to become a "democratic independent nation", AFP news agency reports.French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said France did not act out of "paternalism" and wanted Mali to become a "democratic independent nation", AFP news agency reports.
"Congratulations are in order that the Mali elections went off well... For France, it is a great success," Mr Ayrault is quoted as saying."Congratulations are in order that the Mali elections went off well... For France, it is a great success," Mr Ayrault is quoted as saying.
The BBC's Alex Duval Smith reports from Bamako that supporters of Mr Keita partied throughout Sunday night after state broadcaster ORTM reported that he might win outright, averting a run-off vote on 11 August.The BBC's Alex Duval Smith reports from Bamako that supporters of Mr Keita partied throughout Sunday night after state broadcaster ORTM reported that he might win outright, averting a run-off vote on 11 August.
The government had earlier said it would need five days before issuing the result.The government had earlier said it would need five days before issuing the result.
Mr Keita, or "IBK" as he is popularly known, has a reputation of being a strongman, she says. European Union election observation mission chief Louis Michel said the election had gone off well and was marked by enthusiasm among voters.
Mr Keita, or "IBK" as he is popularly known, has a reputation of being a strongman, our correspondent says.
Aged 69, he ran his campaign under the banner of ''For Mali's honour'', playing on the fact that Malians felt humiliated by having to call for France's help to prevent their country from breaking up, our reporter says.Aged 69, he ran his campaign under the banner of ''For Mali's honour'', playing on the fact that Malians felt humiliated by having to call for France's help to prevent their country from breaking up, our reporter says.
Prominent religious leaders in the mostly Muslim nation called on people to vote for him; he is also considered the favourite of the military, including last year's coup leaders, she adds.Prominent religious leaders in the mostly Muslim nation called on people to vote for him; he is also considered the favourite of the military, including last year's coup leaders, she adds.
His biggest rival is seen as Soumaila Cisse, who founded the Union for the Republic and Democracy (URD) in 2003.His biggest rival is seen as Soumaila Cisse, who founded the Union for the Republic and Democracy (URD) in 2003.
Mr Cisse has called for the junta that seized power in 2012 to be cleared from the political scene.Mr Cisse has called for the junta that seized power in 2012 to be cleared from the political scene.
The election was contested by 27 candidates. Some 6.8 million people were eligible to vote at 21,000 polling stations across the country.The election was contested by 27 candidates. Some 6.8 million people were eligible to vote at 21,000 polling stations across the country.
Turnout in a presidential election in Mali had never reached 40% and about 25% of the capital's registered voters took part in the last presidential race in 2007, Reuters news agency reports.