Malian security forces are hunting three suspects connected to the attack on a hotel in the capital, Bamako, on Friday, in which 19 were killed.

Two militants were also killed, after special forces stormed the hotel, freeing dozens of trapped guests.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and its affiliate, al-Murabitoun, said they carried out the attack.

President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita has declared a 10-day state of emergency and three days of national mourning.

But speaking outside the luxury Radisson Blu hotel a day after it was attacked the president said that the country remained open for business.

“Mali is not and will never be a closed border zone. Paris isn’t, Geneva isn’t, New York isn’t, Moscow isn’t,” he said.