People drive past a road sign written by Islamist rebels at the entrance into Timbuktu January 31, 2013. Mali's president offered Tuareg rebels talks on Thursday in a bid for national reconciliation after a French-led offensive drove their Islamist former allies into mountain hideaways. The sign reads, "The gate of the application of sharia law welcomes you." REUTERS/Benoit Tessier (MALI - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST CONFLICT MILITARY)