Killing of Egyptian peacekeeper in Mali 'may constitute war crimes' Guterres warns, urging 'swift action'.

An improvised roadside mine which exploded hitting a UN peacekeeping convoy in Mali, killing one 'blue helmet' from Egypt, and wounding four others, may constitute a war crime, the UN Chief said on Saturday, as senior UN officials condemned the blast.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued a statement on Saturday night in New York, giving details of the deadly bombing, which took place against a convoy of vehicles in central Mali, close to the border with Burkina Faso, belonging to the UN Mission, MINUSMA. The vehicles were en route between Douentza and Boni, in the Mopti region.

'MINUSMA peacekeepers responded, killing an assailant and apprehending eight others,' said the UN chief, in the message issued by his Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric. 'The Secretary-General expresses his deepest condolences to the family of the victim and to the Government of Egypt. He wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.'

Attacks 'targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law', the statement continued, and Mr. Guterres called on the Malian authorities to take 'swift action to identify the perpetrators of this attack and bring them to justice.'

On Twitter, UN peacekeeping chief, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, also issued his heartfelt condolences to the family of the fallen soldier noting that he and his colleagues from Egypt were 'performing...