article_snippet: Mali's desert north, where French forces wrested control of territory from separatist rebels and al Qaeda-linked fighters, is plagued by frequent political violence - but this is the first militant attack for years in Bamako, in the south.
article_snippet: An armed soldier stands guard after French and Belgium nationals were killed in the militant attack in Mali's capital .
article_snippet: French forces took control of northern Mali two years ago but insurgents continue to mount attacks.
article_snippet: France has more than 3,000 soldiers in West Africa as part of a counter-insurgency force against al Qaeda-linked militants.
article_snippet: Mali's government signed a preliminary peace proposal on Sunday meant to end fighting with northern separatists, but the Tuareg-led rebels demanded more time before agreeing to any accord.
article_snippet: France and Belgium condemned the attack at La Terrasse restaurant and bar in Bamako and France and Belgium
article_snippet: European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said one of the victims of the attack Bamako was a Belgian security officer with the EU delegation in the capital. '
article_snippet: The French embassy in Mali said on Saturday The French embassy in Mali had alerted The French embassy in Mali citizens and beefed up security.