UN Council strongly condemns Mali peacekeeper killings

United Nations: The UN Security Council quickly condemned a suicide bomb attack in Mali that killed two Senegalese UN peacekeepers.

The Security Council "condemned in the strongest terms the attack by unidentified armed assailants" on the UN MINUSMA force at Kidal in northern Mali, said a statement released by the 15-member body within hours of the attack claimed by Islamist militants. A suicide bomber drove an explosive-laden car into a Kidal bank being guarded by the peacekeepers. The United Nations has not given a toll but a UN source said at least two Senegalese troops were killed in the attack, which came one day before Mali holds the second round of legislative elections. "The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support to MINUSMA and French forces who support it," said the statement. The Security Council "stressed that those responsible for this attack shall be held accountable and called on the government of Mali to swiftly investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice," it added.