France confirms death of al Qaeda's Abou Zeid in Mali France says it can confirm "with certainty" that one of al Qaeda's most senior commanders has been killed in a military operation in Mali. Abou Zeid was accused of earning al Qaeda millions of euros through the kidnappings of dozens of Western hostages. Analyst say his death marks a serious blow to al Qaeda in the region and to Islamist rebels driven out of northern Mali's towns by the French-led campaign. More about: Armed conflicts, France, François Hollande, French army, Mali