1st LD: UNSC denounces deadly terrorist attack on UN mission in Mali

The UN Security Council on Friday condemned "in the strongest terms" the deadly terrorist attack earlier in the day on a UN mission camp in Mali.

Six peacekeepers from Guinea were killed and many others injured in the complex assault, which targeted the camp of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in the northern town of Kidal.

"The members of the Security Council called on the government of Mali to swiftly investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice and stressed that those responsible for the attack should be held accountable," the council said in a statement.

The 15-member body underlined that "attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law."

It reaffirmed that "terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security."

Mali, with the support of MINUSMA as well as UN agencies and programs, has been seeking to restore stability and rebuild following a series of setbacks since early 2012, including a military coup, and renewed fighting between government forces and Tuareg rebels.

Following the attack, which lasted for less than two hours, security measures have been reinforced around the camp.

The incident happened on the day when German President Joachim Gauck traveled to Mali for a visit.

Germany is currently leading the European mission that is training the Malian army, and Berlin is expected to send 650 additional soldiers to the UN mission in Mali soon. Endi