Two U.N. peacekeepers killed in Mali

BER, Mali, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Two U.N. peacekeepers died and nine others were injured Saturday in a suicide attack on a patrol base in northern Mali, the United Nations said.

A vehicle exploded near the base Saturday morning in the village of Ber in the Timbuktu region.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement expressing sadness about the news.

"[I am] deeply saddened by the death today of two United Nations peacekeepers and the wounding of at least seven others in a suicide attack in Ber," he said, adding that he wished a speedy recovery to those who were injured.

He said the attack would not "deter the United Nations from its efforts to support the Malian people in their search for peace in their country."

The U.N. mission in Mali is to guard the nation against militant Islamists. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.