Ukrainians among U.N. personnel killed 

UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations says two U.N. contractors from Ukraine were among 12 people killed when suspected Islamic militants seized a hotel used by the staff of the U.N. peacekeeping mission in Mali. Also killed were a South African pilot, a Nepalese man, and a Malian driver who all were contracted by the U.N. mission – as well as at least three militants and several Malian soldiers. Security forces in the West African country stormed the Byblos Hotel in the town of Sevare early on August 8 – freeing other U.N. contractors and hostages who were trapped inside during a siege that lasted nearly 24 hours. The four freed U.N. contactors included a Russian, a Ukrainian, and two from South Africa. Malian officials say the Russian man had hidden inside the hotel from the militants during the entire siege and provided useful information to security forces. Ukraine’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said a total of four Ukrainian citizens had been taken hostage at the hotel and at least one was killed. Mali’s government said seven suspects also were arrested in connection with the militant attack, which was launched in the early morning hours of August 7. (RFE/RL, based on reporting by Reuters, the Associated Press and Agence France-Presse)