The President of Mali's Supreme Islamic Council Mahmoud Dicko is in Mali's northern town Gao "to meet with the islamists with a view of starting negotiations."

However, his visit to Gao was not announced officially.

Some sources said that the head of Ansar Dine rebel group Iyad Ag Ghali could possibly hold talks with the islamic religious leader.

"A few months ago, Iyad released some 163 Malian soldiers whom he had arrested and he handed them over to the president of the Supreme Islamic Council," the same sources said.

They further recalled that a few days before the fall of Amadou Toumani Toure's regime, Iyad had wanted to release the 163 soldiers, but on condition that the liaison persons will be officials from the Supreme Islamic Council.

Elsewhere, while addressing the nation on Sunday, Mali's transitional President Dioncounda Traore affirmed that soon, the occupied northern regions will be recovered.

"There's no reason to despair. We are a dignified people, a courageous people. Together, we shall overcome the challenges that we are confronted with. We must do it and we shall surely do it through the grace of Allah," he said.

"Normalcy will be restored in our country. It will once again become a country that welcomes every one in the world, a country that is tolerant to all religions, a country which will no longer be a threat to its neighbors and a country which will soon elect its future president through free and fair elections," he concluded.