France and African states must work together to "eradicate terrorists, thugs and murderers" in the vast Sahel region, Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday.

The French President, meeting in Mali with leaders from five regional countries, threw his weight behind a new multinational military force set up to fight jihadists.

He said France would provide military support for operations as well as 70 tactical vehicles and communications, operational and protective equipment.

"We cannot hide behind words, and must take action," he said at a summit of the leaders of Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Burkina Faso and Chad, known as the G5 group.