PARIS, May 20 (Xinhua) -- France on Monday condemned "in the strongest possible terms" the attack against United Nation (UN) peacekeepers in Mali, stressing that the perpetrators would be punished, the country's foreign ministry said in a press release on Monday.

On May 18, terrorists targeted a UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) in Timbuktu and Tessalit, killing a Nigerian soldier and wounding several others.

"France reiterates its support for the Malian authorities in their fight against terrorism, and for MINUSMA, whose role is crucial to stabilizing Mali," the ministry said.

It added that those who were behind the assault must be identified and held accountable for their acts.