U.N. peacekeepers need to expand further in Mali's north - U.N.'s Ban

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks after his arrival at Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra June 12, 2014. REUTERS/David Mercado

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. peacekeepers should expand further into the volatile north of Mali, beyond cities and towns, amid fears that militants will step up their attacks against international and Malian troops and threats to civilians, U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon said on Friday.

In a report to the U.N. Security Council on the MINUSMA peacekeeping mission, Ban said a strategic review recommended the operation "expand its static and mobile presence in the north, within its means and capacities."