Several government soldiers were killed or captured, a rebel spokesman said.

 

The government admitted its troops had retreated and the president called for an immediate¹ ceasefire. 

 

Fighting first broke out on Saturday when Mali's Prime Minister Moussa Mara visited Kidal to show support for government forces based there. 

 

The renewed fighting threatens to end efforts to revive peace talks with the rebels, who belong to the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA).

 

The group is fighting for the independence of northern Mali.

 

Control of Kidal was split between the MNLA and the government. 

 

The BBC's Alex Duval Smith reports from the capital, Bamako, that both sides brought in reinforcements for Wednesday's battle. 

 

Fighting began when the Malian army fired rockets on the governor's compound, which had been held by the MNLA since Saturday, she says.

 

The MNLA said they had defeated government forces after six hours of fighting, and their flag was flying over the military base in Kidal.

 

Eyewitnesses² said parts of the town centre, including the market, had been destroyed in the fighting.

 

MNLA official Attaye Ag Mohamed said the situation in the town was calm on Wednesday night. 

 

He also said MNLA fighters had taken several other towns in the north and our correspondent confirmed that the Malian army abandoned its positions in Menaka, Agelhok, Anefis and Tessalit.

点击收听单词发音