A United Nations (UN) official in Mali and the Swedish defence command say a suicide bomber has attacked peacekeepers near Timbuktu, but none were killed.

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The Swedish command says soldiers on patrol with the UN peacekeeping force were targeted on Monday night by the bomber.

Sweden has a contingent of 250 in the UN mission.

The UN official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak to the press on the issue, said a second suicide bomber was killed as he fled.

He said a possible third attacker is being pursued.

Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb and other al-Qaida-linked groups continue attacks against peacekeepers and security forces in northern and central Mali despite being pushed from strongholds in 2013.