The United Nations Security Council strongly condemned a militant attack that killed at least two Chadian UN peacekeepers and a civilian in northern Mali.
"The members of the Security Council reiterated their full support for MINUSMA and French forces who support it," the council said in a unanimously agreed declaration.
They urged the Malian government to "swiftly investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice."
A splinter group of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb told AFP it claimed responsibility for the attack in the remote but strategically important outpost of Tessalit.
The assault followed an urgent request by the UN mission in Mali for more troops as its peacekeeping force faces an upsurge in rocket attacks and bombings by militants ahead of nationwide elections in the troubled west African nation.
"This attack will not deter the determination of the United Nations to support the restoration of security, stability and sustainable peace in Mali," UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman said in a statement earlier.
It was the third deadly assault by violent extremists since late September in northern Mali, which was occupied by militants for six months last year.
