Russia calls for stability in Mali

Russia said on Tuesday that it was seeking an urgent return to peace and stability in Mali as its military warned that rebel forces had captured a key northern town and were regrouping for fresh attacks.

Russia's Africa Corps was forced to retreat from the town of Kidal over the weekend following coordinated strikes by Al-Qaeda-linked militants and separatists. In the attacks, Mali’s defence minister was killed and the presidential palace was targeted. Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that his country wanted Mali to return to peace and stability as soon as possible.