Gao, Mali, Rabi'II 1, 1434, Feb 11, 2013, SPA - French and Malian government forces have regained control of this northern city, after extremists fought a prolonged battle. Hospital officials and witnesses say three civilians died in the fighting Sunday. It is not known how many extremists and Malian troops died in the more than five hours of combat, according to a report of the Associated Press. Hundreds of residents gathered near the heavily shelled police headquarters in downtown Gao, the center of the fighting. --SPA 14:21 LOCAL TIME 11:21 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1077353