Freedom Comes Back To Mali As French Troops Take Control Of The Region

A man and a woman walk together, which would not be allowed under the rule of Islamic militants who ruled the city until French troops took control, in Timbuktu, Mali, Thursday Jan. 31, 2013. Men and women were not allowed to interact in public under the rule of Islamic militants. Many things have changed in Timbuktu since French troops parachuted in several days ago to take control of the area from Islamic militants, and now there is a growing sense of freedom.

A man walks openly while holding a radio and watched by others, in a street in Timbuktu, Thursday Jan. 31, 2013. Many things have changed in Timbuktu since the Islamic militants ceased to enforce their law and relinquished power to French special forces who parachuted in several days ago and liberated this storied city, and now there is a growing sense of freedom.

French soldiers are watched by local people, as they drive through the city streets of Timbuktu, Mali, Thursday Jan. 31, 2013. <AP Photo/Harouna Traore>