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French military forces in Timbuktu have left the region after spending nine years helping Malian troops retake the city from Islamist insurgents.
France has gradually reduced its anti-terrorism operation in northern Mali, despite the persistent threat from jihadists.
On Tuesday, a French General handed a symbolic wooden key to a Malian officer before his troops withdrew from their base.
The withdrawal had a high symbolic value because it was there that former French President François Hollande formalized the start of French military intervention in 2013.
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French relations with the Malian government have deteriorated since last year’s military coup and several anti-France protests in the West African country.
