Two UN peacekeepers killed in Mali

At least two UN peacekeepers were killed and seven injured in a suicide attack on a UN patrol base in northern Mali, media reported Sunday.

A pick-up truck laden with explosives drove into the UN camp in Ber, 50 km east of Timbuktu Saturday, the BBC reported.

According to UN Multidimensional Stabilisation Mission in Mali (Minusma), the attack occurred at 11.30 a.m. local time.

The victims were two soldiers from Burkina Faso serving with the UN.

The incident comes after three other international peacekeepers - two Bangladeshis, one Chadian - were injured when their vehicles drove over mines in two separate incidents last week.

Acting director of Minusma David Gressly said his force was "paying too heavy a price in Mali given that the peacekeepers are stationed in the country precisely to ensure a return to peace and stability".

Peace talks aimed at drawing up a road map for peace between the Malian government and Tuareg separatist rebels are due to resume in September.