UN chief condemns attack on peacekeepers in Mali

UNITED NATIONS - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday strongly condemned an attack against a convoy of UN peacekeepers in Mali, which killed three peacekeepers from Chad and injured four others.

Guterres recalled that attacks targeting UN peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law. He called on the Malian authorities to spare no effort in identifying the perpetrators of these attacks so that they can be brought to justice swiftly, said Stephane Dujarric, the UN chief's spokesman, in a statement.

The secretary-general reaffirmed that such cowardly acts will not deter the United Nations from its resolve to continue supporting the people and government of Mali in their pursuit of peace and stability, said the statement.

Guterres expressed his deep condolences to the families of the victims, as well as the government and people of Chad. He wished a speedy recovery to the injured, it said.

The three Chadian peacekeepers were killed on Sunday during a routine patrol near Aguelhok in northern Mali when their convoy hit a roadside bomb. Four others were severely injured.