Militants killed five people in a gun attack on a restaurant in Mali's capital in the early hours of this morning.
The dead included a French citizen and a Belgian security officer with the EU delegation in the country, authorities said.
Mali's desert north, where French forces wrested control of territory from separatist rebels and al Qaeda-linked fighters, is plagued by frequent political violence.
However, this is the first militant attack for years in Bamako, in the south.
Three Malians were killed in the violence in and around La Terrasse restaurant, which is popular with expatriates, the government said.
The attack began at around 1am and left nine people wounded, said a senior security official, adding that two people had been arrested.
Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders denounced the killings in what he said was a "cowardly attack" on a Mali nightclub.
French President Francois Hollande also condemned the attack the Elysee palace said in a statement.
Senior police officer Falaye Kant said: "There were two individuals who were armed and hooded.
One burst into the La Terrasse restaurant and opened fire on people. Then he got into a vehicle in which the other was waiting."
Those killed included a girl who died in hospital, Mr Kant said.
A spokesperson for the Defence Forces said all Irish military personnel in Bamako are safe and accounted for following the attack.
Irish troops are taking part in an EU training mission in the capital.
The Defence Forces say they have ten people in Mali.
Witnesses said police secured the street where the restaurant shooting took place because of unexploded grenades.
Two international experts with the United Nations Mine Action Service were among the wounded, according to initial reports, said Mongi Hamdi, UN special envoy for the peacekeeping mission to Mali (MINUSMA).
French forces took control of northern Mali two years ago but insurgents continue to mount attacks.
France has more than 3,000 soldiers in West Africa as part of a counter-insurgency force against al Qaeda-linked militants.
Mali's government signed a preliminary peace proposal on Sunday meant to end fighting with northern separatists, but the Tuareg-led rebels demanded more time before agreeing to any accord.
European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said one of the victims of the Bamako attack was a Belgian security officer with the EU delegation in the capital.
"This terrorist act strengthens even more our resolve to help fight terrorism throughout the region," she said.
Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang
European leaders condemn Mali restaurant attack
Dengan url
http://newsdeadlineup.blogspot.com/2015/03/european-leaders-condemn-mali.html
Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya
European leaders condemn Mali restaurant attack
namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link
European leaders condemn Mali restaurant attack
sebagai sumbernya
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar