Militants have killed five people in a gun attack on a restaurant in Mali 's capital , including a French citizen and a Belgian security officer with the EU delegation in the country , authorities say . 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 . Three Malians were also killed in the violence , which began about 1am , in and around La Terrasse restaurant , which is popular with expatriates . Police carry out their investigations at the scene of the militant attack in Mali 's capital . Soldiers gesture in front of the La Terrasse restaurant where five people were killed . Blood stains on the floor of the restaurant show where the group were killed . A group of soldiers controlling the crime scene perimeter carry gear into the zone . An armed soldier stands guard after French and Belgium nationals were killed in the attack . It also left nine people injured and authorities said two people have been arrested . Senior police officer Falaye Kanta said : 'There were two individuals who were armed and hooded . 'One burst into the La Terrasse restaurant and opened fire on people . Then he got into a vehicle in which the other was waiting . 'As they fled down a neighbouring street , they shot a Belgian man who was in front of his house . 'He 's dead . Not far away they came across a police vehicle and threw a grenade , killing the driver . ' Those killed included a girl who died in hospital , Kanta said . Witnesses said police secured the street where the restaurant shooting took place because of unexploded grenades . Two international experts with the United Nations Mine Action Service were among the wounded , according to initial reports , said Mongi Hamdi , U.N. special envoy for the peacekeeping mission to Mali ( MINUSMA ) . French forces took control of northern Mali two years ago but insurgents continue to mount attacks . France has more than 3,000 soldiers in West Africa as part of a counter-insurgency force against al Qaeda-linked militants . 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 . Police said they arrested two men who they believe carried out the attack . Those killed included a girl who died in hospital , police said . Two international experts with the United Nations Mine Action Service were among the wounded . France and Belgium condemned the attack at La Terrasse restaurant and bar in Bamako and their foreign ministers confirmed the deaths of their nationals . European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said one of the victims of the Bamako attack was a Belgian security officer with the EU delegation in the capital . 'This terrorist act strengthens even more our resolve to help fight terrorism throughout the region , ' she said . Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders denounced a 'cowardly act of terror ' and France 's Laurent Fabius said 'everything must be done to find those responsible for this crime . ' French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius confirmed a French citizen was among those killed and said the attack strengthened France 's resolve to 'fight terrorism in all its forms ' . The French embassy in Mali said on Saturday it had alerted its citizens and beefed up security .
Militants have killed five people in a gun attack at a restaurant in Mali . It is the first militant attack in the volatile country 's south for years . Malians were killed in the attack , along with French and Belgium nationals .