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The UK has issued similar advice, telling citizens who stay, that they do so at their own risk.
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In an update on Wednesday, the advice also warned French citizens not to travel to the West African nation, describing the situation as "extremely volatile".
Explosions and sustained gunfire were reported across the country, including the capital, Bamako on Saturday. In Kati, the defence leader Sadio Camara was killed in an apparent suicide bombing by militants, while in the north, separatist forces have taken control of the city of Kidal.
Mali's military leader Gen Assimi Goïta said the security situation in the country was under control.
Speaking in public for the first time on Tuesday evening, he said the army had dealt a "violent blow" to the attackers, and signalled operations were still ongoing.
The foreign ministry of France, Mali's former colonial power, said: "French nationals are advised to make arrangements to leave Mali temporarily as soon as possible on the commercial flights that are still available."
Pending their departure, they should stay at home, limit their movements and follow instructions from local authorities, it said, adding that they should also keep their relatives informed.
"Travel to Mali is still strongly discouraged, regardless of the reason."
The UK has also advised "against all travel to Mali due to the unpredictable security conditions", and asked its citizens to leave.
The travel guidelines - which have been in place since the weekend - told British citizens in Mali to "leave immediately by commercial flight if you judge it safe to do so".
It also warned them not to travel by land to neighbouring countries, deeming it "too dangerous" due to what it called "terrorist attacks along national highways".
"If you choose to remain in Mali, you do so at your own risk. You should have a personal emergency plan that does not rely on the UK gov
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