Two United Nations peacekeepers have been killed in a car bomb blast in Kidal, northeastern Mali, according to witnesses.<br /><br />The explosion targeted the town’s only operating bank. The building collapsed, so more casualties are feared.<br /><br />There has been no claim of responsibility for the attack.<br /><br />It came two weeks after separatist Tuareg rebels said they were ending a ceasefire. Kidal is one of their strongholds.<br /><br />The threat of violence is casting a shadow over Mali’s parliamentary elections. A second round of voting is due to take place on Sunday, December 15.<br /><br />French-led troops defeated Islamist rebels in the north of the country nearly a year ago, but insurgent attacks have continued.<br /><br />The Tuaregs seized control of Kidal after the French offensive had driven the Islamists out of the town – leading to tensions with the Malian government.
