Mali today started three days of national mourning for the victims of the jihadist siege at a luxury hotel that left 19 people dead in the capital Bamako, with neighbouring Senegal, Mauritania and Guinea joining in a show of solidarity.


The investigation was "following several lines" with no certainty about the number and nationality of the perpetrators of the attacks, which have been claimed by two separate jihadist groups.


Gunmen went on the rampage at the Radisson Blu hotel from early morning on Friday, shooting in the corridors and taking 170 guests and staff hostage.


The assault, which ended when Malian and international troops stormed the building, left 19 people dead, including 14 foreigners, as well as two attackers, according to a "definitive" report by the government.


The victims included six Russians, three Chinese, two Belgians, an American, an Israeli, a Senegalese and a member of the Malian special forces. The UN peacekeeping force in Mali, MINUSMA, however spoke of 22 fatalities, including two attackers.