Mali says to hold presidential election on July 7

BAMAKO (Reuters) - Mali will hold a presidential election on July 7, a key step aimed at stabilising the country following the French-led military intervention that has ousted Islamist rebels from the main northern towns, the government said on Thursday.

Following the recapture late last month by French and Malian troops of the biggest northern towns of Gao and Timbuktu, interim President Dioncounda Traore had announced that his government would hold national elections by July 31.