Tuareg rebels in Mali say they have defeated government forces in heavy fighting for control of the key northern town of Kidal.
Several government soldiers were killed, wounded or captured, a rebel spokesman said.
UN chief Ban Ki-moon called for an immediate ceasefire.
Fighting first broke out on Saturday when Mali’s Prime Minister Moussa Mara visited Kidal to show support for government forces based there.
He had also hoped to revive peace talks with the rebels, who belong to the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA).