Editor's Choice Pictures of the Day - Malian Children Return to Class - February 1, 2013

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A school in Timbuktu  re-opened today after 10 months of Islamists ruling in Northern Mali. French-led troops worked today to secure the last Islamist stronghold in the north after a lightning offensive against the extremists.

FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images

Malian children gather for the first day at school, in Timbuktu on February, 1, 2013.

 

FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images

Malian children arrive before their class in a school of Timbuktu on February 1, 2013 

 

FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images

Malian children gather before class in a school of Timbuktu on February 1, 2013, which re-opens today after 10 months of islamists ruling in Northern Mali.

 

FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images

Malian children attend a class in a school of Timbuktu on February 1, 2013.

 

FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images

A Malian teacher gives a lesson in a classroom on February 1, 2013.

 

FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images

Malian children attend a class in a school of Timbuktu on February 1, 2013. 

 

FRED DUFOURFRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images

Malian children attend a class in a school of Timbuktu on February 1, 2013.

 

FRED DUFOURFRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images

The black board of a school indicates the last day of class, last March 22, 2012, as this school of Timbuktu re-opened today, on February 1, 2013,