A member of Mali's opposition group, M5 movement - which held protests against former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta for the last few weeks, has termed his resignation as a "relief".

Prof Ramata Sissoko Cisse told the BBC World Service from Georgia in the US that Mr Keïta had lost the backing of the people.

"I think it's a relief for the Malian people and for all the citizens of Mali to finally hear from the president that because of the lack of support of the Malian people he finally accepts to resign, to give back power to the people who originally gave it to him and I think the people of Mali are very relieved today," he said.