Taoiseach urges citizens not to travel to Mali

The Taoiseach is advising Irish citizens not to travel to Mali following an attack by Islamic extremists today.

More than 130 hostages held by armed militants who stormed a hotel in the country's capital have been freed, following an international rescue operation.

Gunmen, with apparent links to al-Qaida, targeted the building this morning.

United Nations officials say their staff have counted 27 bodies inside, however dozens of people were either freed or managed to escape.

Speaking to reporters in Cork today the Taoiseach said Irish members of the Defence Forces in the area are safe.

"Our ten personnel there are part of a 22 country formal European training program so we support the United Nations in their endeavours and we go through the Dáil and the Oireachtas as part of our neutrality requirements to do that.

"No request has been received for any further assistance from Ireland."