Mali army clashes with separatist MNLA rebels

Malian soldiers have clashed with secular separatist Tuareg fighters near the northern town of Kidal, army and rebel spokesmen have told the BBC.

Kidal has been held by the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) since February, when Islamist militants fled the city.

Thomas Fessy reports from neighbouring Senegal.