UNITED NATIONS, Oct. 16 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday urged authorities in Mali to act swiftly to apprehend those responsible for two separate attacks on Thursday against peacekeepers serving with a UN mission in the country.
"The secretary-general strongly condemns the two attacks that were perpetrated against the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) on Oct. 15. In Kidal region, an explosive device hit a mission vehicle killing one Egyptian peacekeeper and seriously injuring another. In Timbuktu, an indirect fire attack against the mission's integrated camp resulted in at least one Burkinabe peacekeeper wounded," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN chief in a statement.
"The secretary-general recalls that attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law. He calls on the Malian authorities to take urgent steps to apprehend and swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice," said Dujarric.
The UN chief expressed his deepest condolences to the people and governments of Egypt and Mali. He also extended sympathies to the bereaved families, and wished a swift recovery to the injured.
MINUSMA has been in Mali since 2013, following a military coup and the occupation of the north by radical Islamists. The mission supports implementation of a 2015 peace agreement signed by the authorities and two coalitions of armed groups. It is considered the most dangerous UN operation in the world to serve in. Enditem
