Two different Islamist groups claim responsibility for Mali attack

Up to 650 soldiers will be sent from Germany to Mali to join the UN peacekeeping mission there, the country's Defence Minister has announced.

Ursula von der Leyen said the move was aimed at helping French forces already in position in the African nation.

It comes after 19 people were killed and a further seven injured when militants seized 170 hostages at the Radisson Blu in Bamako earlier this month.

Two different Islamist jihadi groups have claimed responsibility for the massacre at a hotel in Mali, which left 19 people dead.

The assault on the Radisson Blu hotel in capital city Bamako has been claimed by both Al Mourabitoun and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

Gunmen stormed the building after killing guards at the entrance, taking staff and guests hostage in a raid yesterday morning.

The siege came to an end when Malian commandos entered the building and rescued 170 people. Russian, Chinese, American and Belgian citizens were reportedly among the dead.

Russian citizens were among the 19 killed in a gun attack at a hotel in the capital of Mali, the RIA news agency reported, citing Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.

This echoes reports from the head of a hospital in Mali, who earlier told Russian TV channel LifeNews that at least two nationals had been killed.

China's President Xi Jinping as condemned an attack at a Mali hotel where Islamist militants killed 19 people, including three Chinese executives.

Four other Chinese nationals were rescued after Malian authorities stormed the hotel.

Mr Xi vowed that China would strengthen its international anti-terrorism cooperation, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on its website.

Three Chinese executives have been confirmed dead after an terror attack on a popular hotel in Bamako, Mali.

The victims, who were all with China's state-owned China Railways Construction Corp. were among the hostages killed in the raid, the company said in a statement on its website.

The statement named the victims as International Group general manager Zhou Tianxiang, vice general manager Wang Xuanshang, and Chang Xuehui. The three were involved in a project with Mali’s transport ministry, the statement said.

Four Chinese nationals were rescued after Malian authorities stormed the hotels.

President Obama has said the attacks on a Mali hotel only stiffened the resolve of the United States and its allies, which would be relentless in fighting those targeting its citizens.

In a speech at a regional summit in Malaysia, Obama said US forces had helped prevent a greater loss of life and described the raid as "another awful reminder of the scourge of terrorism."

At least one American has been identified among the 19 dead. He said U.S. forces in Mali helped prevent a greater loss of life.

President Keita has said that 21 people, including two Islamist militants, were killed in the attack on a Bamako hotel. He confirmed seven others were wounded during the address on state television.

Keita has declared a national state of emergency from midnight and three days of national mourning.

The scale and reach of jihadist groups has been revealed as a truly 'global threat' following both last Friday's terror attack in Paris and today's hotel siege in Mali.

ITV News International Affairs Editor Rageh Omaar reports:

There was fear and panic in Mali on Friday as one of the capital's most exclusive hotel's came under attack from gunmen.

European, US and other citizens were taken hostage as the armed attackers stormed the Radisson Blu hotel and barricaded themselves inside before security forces were able to get in and evacuate those being held.

As many as 170 people were held hostage for several hours during the siege and at least 27 bodies have been recovered since the hostage situation ended.

ITV News Africa Correspondent John Ray reports:

Mali has declared a 10-day state of emergency following the attack on the Radisson Blu hotel in the capital city of Bamako.

At least 27 people were killed after gunmen targeted the hotel.

Earlier it was confirmed the attack at the hotel had come to an end.