The secretary general extended his deep condolences to the bereaved families, as well as to the Government and people of Egypt, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured, according to a statement on Tuesday evening.

"Attacks targeting United Nations peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law," he stressed, calling on the Malian authorities to spare no effort in identifying and swiftly bringing the perpetrators of these attacks to justice.  

Earlier on Monday, the UN Security Council issued a statement  condemning the attack.

The Security Council called on the transitional government of Mali to “swiftly investigate the attack against peacekeepers and bring the perpetrators to justice,” adding that the attacks targeting peacekeepers may constitute war crimes under international law.

The Egyptian armed forces also said in a statement on Monday that all necessary measures were being taken in coordination with the United Nations.

“The Egyptian Armed Forces affirm that their role in maintaining international peace and security comes from its full belief in the importance of peace, coexistence and the elimination of terrorism,” the Armed Forces statement said.  

The Malian state has struggled to regain control of territory from a jihadist insurgency that began in the country's north in 2012 and has since spread to neighbouring Niger and Burkina Faso.

The fighting has claimed thousands of lives and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes.