UN chief condemns killing of peacekeepers in Mali

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned in the strongest terms the bombing attack at the Banque malienne de solidarité in Kidal, taking the lives of two United Nations peacekeepers and injuring at least seven other peacekeepers and four Malian National Guards. All those responsible for this criminal act must be brought to justice, Ban's spokesman said in a statement. "The United Nations remains undeterred in its mission to support the people and Government of Mali in building lasting peace in their country. The Secretary-General encourages all Malians to reject violence and support the peace process, including through their participation in Sunday’s second round of legislative elections," the statement said. "The Secretary-General extends his deepest sympathies to the families of the peacekeepers who lost their lives in this attack, and his sincere wishes for the full and speedy recovery of those injured. He also expresses his condolences to the Government and people of Senegal at this tragic loss of their compatriots serving the international community and the cause of peace."