"During the call, which had been scheduled for some time, Secretary Hagel conveyed his condolences to Minister Le Drian for the loss of life in this week's terrorist attack and promised him any help that the Department of Defence could provide," Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said.
"Hagel went on to thank Le Drian for their strong and enduring partnership over the years, and specifically France's counter-terrorism leadership in the Sahel region of Africa," he said.