19 civilians and two militants are dead after Islamist extremists with guns and grenades stormed a luxury hotel in Mali.
The country's president Ibrahim Boubacar Keita confirmed the deaths, which include an American health worker, a Malian soldier, a Belgian local government officer and three Chinese railway executives.
Seven people were injured, including at least two Malian police officers. There were 126 people successfully helped to safety.
Mali's President cut short a visit to Chad and declared a 10-day state of emergency while French president Francois Hollande said France would "yet again stand firm and show our solidarity" with its former colony, promising to send extra troops to boost the 1,000 currently there.
US president Barack Obama says the "barbarity" shown by Islamic extremists at the hotel was yet another reminder that the "scourge of terrorism" threatens many nations and that the attack "only stiffens our resolve to meet this challenge".
Around 10 men armed with guns and grenades entered the Radisson Blu in the country's capital of Bamako at around 7am local time on Friday, shouting and screaming "Allahu Akbar", which means "God Is great" in Arabic.
Witnesses reported seeing some of the men approach the hotel in a car, wearing dark suits and sunglasses.
They opened fire on security guards before raiding the building and taking more than 150 people hostage.
The hostages also include 20 Indians, seven Algerians, six Americans and two Germans who have all been rescued along with three of 10 Chinese nationals.
The Malian forces moved "floor by floor" rescuing people, assisted by elite US and French troops, according to witnesses.
One of the freed hostages, a singer from Guinea, said he heard attackers in the next room speaking English.
"I heard them say in English 'Did you load it?', 'Let's go'," Sékouba 'Bambino' Diabate told Reuters.
Al Mourabitoun, an African Jihadist group affiliated with al Qaeda, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The hotel is popular with airline staff, western tourists and local dignitaries and the hotel group's president Wolfgang Neumann said: "We are devastated at what has happened at Bamako today."
Security force personnel escort people fleeing from the Radisson Blu Hotel in Bamako, Mali | Image: Harouna Traore / AP/Press Association Images
The Department of Foreign Affairs is advising Irish people not to travel to the country.
The Department of Foreign Affairs says any Irish citizens in Mali should "follow instructions of local authorities". Those concerned can also call the department on 01-4082527.
The Taoiseach Enda Kenny says the 10 Irish Defence Forces personnel currently based in Mali under an EU programme are safe and unharmed.
But he says any request for Ireland to send more troops there - to relieve French soldiers who are needed elsewhere - would have to be limited in nature.
Video taken by one Chinese tourist from inside the hotel has been released:
The Chairman of Christian Aid in Northern Ireland, Reverend Trevor Williams has just returned from Mali.
He says this attack will have a detrimental impact for the people there, as many tourists will now be put off.
Could Ireland be sending more troops there? Security analyst Dr Tom Clonan told Newstalk Lunchtime it is looking likely.
