Mali Tuareg rebels threaten to pull out of peace talks, suspend U.N. coordination

U.N. peacekeepers patrol in the northern town of Kidal, in this file photo taken on July 17, 2013. REUTERS/Stringer

RABAT (Reuters) - Tuareg separatist rebels on Friday threatened to pull out of peace talks and suspended coordination with the United Nations mission in northern Mali after seven of its fighters were killed in an attack by U.N. forces.

Dutch helicopters carried out air strikes on MNLA forces on Tuesday in the town of Tabankort, the first such engagement by Dutch forces serving in the U.N. peacekeeping mission.