French FM confirms citizen's death in Mali attack

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius confirmed on Saturday that one French national was among the victims killed by gunmen in an attack on a restaurant in Bamako, the capital of Mali.

"I condemn this odious and cowardly act that has caused the death of several people including a French citizen," Fabius said in a statement posted on the ministry's website.

"Everything must be done to find the perpetrators," he added.

The attack strengthened France's determination to "fight terrorism in all its forms," the top French diplomat said, reiterating Paris' solidarity with the Malian authorities and people in their battle to restore stability and promote security.

In the early hours of Saturday, armed men shot dead five people, including French and Belgian nationals. Eight others were wounded in the attack.

Shortly after the terrorist attack, the French embassy in Mali warned all French nationals in Bamako to take extra caution if they had to leave their homes.

According to local reports, Paris prosecutors have opened a probe into the killing of the French expatriate. Endi