French President Francois Hollande on Saturday expressed his indignation over the killing of two journalists working for a French radio station in northern Mali, calling it "despicable."

French President Francois Hollande on Saturday expressed his indignation over the killing of two journalists working for a French radio station in northern Mali, calling it "despicable."

Hollande "expresses his indignation over this despicable act," said a statement from his office.

The president will meet Sunday with ministers concerned to establish "jointly with Malian authorities and UN forces, the conditions of the killings," added the statement.

Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon were kidnapped Saturday in north-eastern Mali's Kidal by armed men and later found dead, the French foreign ministry said.

Prosecutors in Paris have opened an investigation into the case, a judicial source said.

The probe will examine the kidnapping and subsequent deaths in connection with a terrorist group, the source said.