The UN Security Council on Monday strongly condemned a suicide attack in northern Mali, which killed two Burkinabe peacekeepers and wounded seven others.

In a press statement issued here, the Council members called on the Malian government to swiftly investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice.

A vehicle exploded on Saturday next to a patrol base in the village of Ber in Timbuktu region of northern Mali, according to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

In the statement, the 15-nation body expressed their condolences to the families of the peacekeepers killed and reiterated its full support to the mission to help Mali bring lasting peace and stability to the West African country.

"The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed," the statement said.

Following tentative security improvements in 2013, the situation in northern Mali has deteriorated since the beginning of this year when fighting renewed between government forces and Tuareg rebels.

An increase in incidents, involving improvised explosive devices, mostly targeting Malian and international security forces, has impeded the return to normalcy and resumption of economic and development activities.

The first phase of the inter-Malian negotiation process was held from July 16 to 24 in Algiers, Algeria's capital, to achieve a comprehensive peace deal. It concluded with the adoption of a roadmap by all parties. Endite

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