Militant attack behind French soldier's death in Mali - minister

French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is seen at the French Military base Sangaris Mpoko in Bangui, Central African Republic October 31, 2016. REUTERS/Stringer

PARIS (Reuters) - A French soldier killed in Mali died after an attack by militants on Friday, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Sunday. "...Fabien Jacq died in the night of Friday to Saturday after an attack by a terrorist group in northern Mali in a zone that is still fragile," Le Drian told Europe 1 radio. The French authorities had announced the soldier's death on Saturday, citing an explosion that hit a military convoy. Islamist militant group Ansar Dine claimed responsibility for the attack, but the French defence ministry had said it was not able to corroborate the claim. (Reporting Gus Trompiz; editing by John Irish)