U.N. peacekeeper killed in attack in Central African Republic

May 17 (UPI) -- A U.N. peacekeeper from Mauritania died in an attack during a mission in the Central African Republic, a spokesman said Thursday.

Another eight peacekeepers were injured in the attack by presumed anti-Balaka members in the town of Alindao, a spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said. They were on an Integrated Stabilization Mission.

"The secretary-general offers his deepest condolences to the bereaved family, as well as to the Government of Mauritania," the spokesman said. "He wishes a swift recovery to the injured."

Guterres added that attacks against U.N. peacekeepers can constitute a war crime and called on authorities in the Central African Republic to investigate the attack.