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1st LD Writethru: UN chief outraged by terrorist attacks on peacekeepers in Mali

Xinhua, June 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday expressed his outrage at terrorist attacks against the United Nations in Mali's city of Gao, which killed one Chinese peacekeeper and injured a dozen UN personnel.

On Tuesday, one peacekeeper from China was killed and a dozen UN personnel were injured when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated at a United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) camp, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters here.

China's Embassy in Mali confirmed on Wednesday that four other Chinese peacekeepers were injured.

In a separate incident, one civilian contractor from France and two security guards from Mali were killed when the camp of a UN contractor, in another area of the city, was attacked by unknown assailants, according to the UN.

"The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the Governments of China, France and Mali," said Dujarric. "He wishes a speedy recovery to those injured."

"The Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the recent series of attacks directed against MINUSMA that have killed 12 peacekeepers and injured many more in May alone," said Dujarric, adding that the UN chief intends to present to the Security Council proposals to strengthen the mission's posture and capabilities in the coming days.

"The Secretary-General urges the Government of Mali, with the support of its partners, to expeditiously investigate and hold the perpetrators accountable," said Dujarric.

"He reiterates that nothing can excuse these acts of terrorism against men and women who are serving with the United Nations to help the people of Mali to restore stability and peace across the country," Dujarric added.

The MINIUSMA was established in 2013 to support Mali's reconciliation between the north and south and carry out security-related tasks. However, with many armed groups active in the country, the security situation in the country is still grave.

Since its inception in 2013, the UN mission in Mali has already lost more than 60 lives so far, making it the UN's deadliest active mission. Enditem