Four hostages have been freed from a hotel in central Mali after a standoff with Islamic extremists that left 12 people dead.

Mali's defence ministry adviser Colonel Diaran Kone said militants attacked Hotel Byblos in the town Sevare, which is frequented by UN staff, on Friday.

Malian special forces backed by French soldiers brought the siege to an end early on Saturday.

Colonel Kone said: "It seems to be over and it has ended well. We freed the four hostages."

The dead included hotel staff, jihadis, Malian soldiers and a UN contractor.

Ukraine and Russia said their citizens were among the hostages while South African and French nationals are also believed to have been staying at the hotel, a Malian military official said.

Mali's jihadi groups have been stepping up their attacks further south from their strongholds in the north.