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Mali hunting at least three suspects over hotel attack: source

By AFP
Mali Malian troops take position outside the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako on November 20, 2015.  By Habibou Kouyate AFP
NOV 21, 2015 LISTEN
Malian troops take position outside the Radisson Blu hotel in Bamako on November 20, 2015. By Habibou Kouyate (AFP)

Bamako (AFP) - At least three people suspected of involvement in a jihadist attack on a luxury hotel in Mali's capital that killed 21 people were being hunted down Saturday, a security source said.

"We are actively pursuing three suspects who might have been involved in Friday's attack on the Radisson Blu hotel," the source, who is taking part in the investigation, told AFP on condition of anonymity.

"Everything is being done to follow the tracks" of the suspects, the source said, declining to give further details to avoid compromising the investigation.

The source added that the hotel "is now totally under control" following the nine-hour attack, which was claimed by Al-Qaeda affiliate the Al-Murabitoun group and ended after Malian and international troops stormed the complex.

A police source said Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita was expected to visit the site of the attack on Saturday.

Malian security sources said more than 100 people were taken hostage in the raid while at least three "terrorists" were killed or blew themselves up.

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