Mali locals say no doubt Qaeda commander Abou Zeid dead

GAO, Mali (Reuters) - Sources close to Islamist militants and tribal elders in north Mali said on Friday there was no doubt one of al Qaeda's most feared commanders in Africa had been killed by French air strikes, though there was still no official confirmation.

Abdelhamid Abou Zeid was among 40 militants killed four days ago in the foothills of the Adrar des Ifoghas mountains, where French forces have been locked in heavy fighting with Islamist rebels, the sources said.