UN peacekeepers in Mali used "unauthorized and excessive force" against civilian protesters, killing three people and injuring four others, according to a UN inquiry whose findings were released Thursday, according to dpa. The incident occurred January 27 when a UN peacekeeping police unit responded to violent demonstrations around the mission's headquarters in Gao with gunfire that led to civilian deaths and injuries, the investigation found. "The secretary general profoundly regrets the casualties among civilians resulting from the excessive use of force during this event," said Farhan Haq, a spokesman for the United Nations. The UN police officers responsible for the incident will be held accountable by their home country. -- SPA 21:26 LOCAL TIME 18:26 GMT تغريد
