Hollande joins unity rally after Tunisia attack as militant leader killed
French leader marches with Tunisians after death of mastermind behind museum massacre
Tunisia said it had killed the leader of the jihadists behind the massacre at its national museum, as foreign leaders joined thousands of Tunisians in a march against extremism.
Chanting "Tunisia is free! Terrorism out!" the demonstrators marched in a sea of red Tunisian flags to the capital's Bardo Museum, where 21 foreign tourists were killed in the March 18 jihadist shooting rampage.
"The Tunisian people have proven they will not give in to terrorism. My thanks go out to all and I tell the Tunisian people: 'Forwards. You are not alone'," President Beji Caid Sebsi said.
French President Francois Hollande, whose country held a similar march after January's attacks in Paris, was among the figures attending along with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.
"We must all fight against terrorism," Hollande said. "Tunisians wanted this international solidarity."
Tunisian authorities earlier said Lokmane Abou Sakhr - an Algerian who allegedly masterminded the museum attack - was killed along with at least eight others from the notorious Okba Ibn Nafaa Brigade.
Officials had accused Abou Sakhr and his group of organising the attack on the Bardo National Museum carried out by two gunmen who were shot dead, despite a claim of responsibility from the Islamic State jihadist group.
Tunisian forces "were able yesterday (Saturday) to kill the most important members of the Okba Ibn Nafaa Brigade including its head Lokmane Abou Sakhr," Prime Minister Habib Essid said.
Interior Ministry spokesman Mohamed Ali Aroui said security forces killed "nine terrorists" in an operation in the west-central area of Sidi Aich.
Authorities say Okba Ibn Nafaa has been behind a series of attacks on security forces that have left about 60 dead since late 2012.
During the official march, a stone tablet was unveiled with the names of the foreign tourists and a Tunisian policeman killed in the attack.
"Tunisia is not a country of jihad, extremism and terrorism!" yelled Majda Friga, a participant wrapped in the Tunisian flag.
Tunisia has seen an upsurge in Islamic extremism since overthrowing longtime strongman Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali in 2011, but has taken pride in forming a democratic government since the Arab Spring.
