'Algerian Mokhtar Belmokhtar likely behind Mali attack'

France's defence minister said today that notorious Algerian militant Mokhtar Belmokhtar was "likely behind" a deadly attack at a luxury hotel in Mali but acknowledged it was not certain.

Jean-Yves Le Drian said several countries had long been searching for Belmokhtar, head of the jihadist group Al-Murabitoun. "He is likely behind this attack although we are not completely certain of it," the minister said, speaking on France's TF1 television.