the forces have to the endh a view game with the mnla. it is not for the prime minister to declare war. it is the president's prerogative. we have not heard from the president yet. >> there has been confusion over the numbers of casualties and hostages. what more can you tell us? >> it is not clear how many deaths there have been. my count brings it to at least 17. theproblem is the army and mnla has different figures. there is a wide convergence there could be in the figures. we do know eight civilians were killed in front of the governor's office on saturday shortly after the prime minister left. andare ordinary residents six were government officials. this has prompted speculation they were executed, something the humanlyla denies -- vehemently the denies. >> france is demanding the release of the hostages. a man was killed when a car bomb went off. a young girl was among the victims. the bomb went off in a mostly christian area. so far, no claim of responsibility but many are rowdy -- already pointing the finger at boko haram. they ha

these people are opponents of the mainly separatist group the mnla, which took chrome of parts of the town protesting a visit by mali's new prime minister. some carried posters saying no u.n. after the weekend clashes in which eight malian soldiers and 28 members of the mnla were reported killed. the situation is causes deep concern at u.n. headquarters where the security council met in a hastily confined session. they were addressed by video link by the head of the u.n. mission in mali. >> the priority is to revive the political process. the international community should be unanimous in the pressing of the armed groups that are signatory or adherence to the agreement. it can only be addressed and the results will be for political needs. >> reporter: talk of the need for reconciliation but sitting right next to him, the foreign minister of mali who showed absolutely no inclination to reach out to the mnla. ambassadors held him describe them like this. >> translator: they were heavily armed narco terrorists. mr. president, there is one aggressor, mnla and its accomplices who have atta