UN condemns attack on peacekeepers in Mali

The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Saturday condemned a suicide attack in northern Mali, which left two UN peacekeepers killed and seven wounded.

Ban is "deeply saddened" by the casualties of the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and condemns this and all such criminal acts against UN personnel, Xinhua quoted Ban's spokesperson as saying in a statement.

A vehicle exploded earlier Saturday next to a patrol base in the village of Ber, which is in Timbuktu region of northern Mali, according to MINUSMA.

"Such attacks will not deter the United Nations from its efforts to support the Malian people in their search for peace in their country," the UN chief said.

On April 25, the UN Security Council approved a 12,600-strong MINUSMA to take over from the African-led mission in Mali July 1. The mission has been attacked from time to time.

The West African country is now in the process of restoring democracy with the help of the UN and regional African bodies.