Mali demands immediate withdrawal of UN peacekeeping mission.

Mali has called on the United Nations to withdraw its peacekeeping mission from the country, citing its "failure" to respond to security challenges. The country's foreign minister, Abdoulaye Diop, told a UN Security Council meeting that the peacekeeping force known as MINUSMA should withdraw its troops from the West African nation. The UN mission head, El Ghassim Wane, said conducting UN peacekeeping operations was "nearly impossible" without the host country's consent. The demand comes as Mali prepares for elections on Sunday.