Bamako: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Mali expressed its strong disapproval to the authorities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, following the illegal entry into Malian territory of Ibrahim Moustapha, correspondent for the state television Al Arabiya and its subsidiary Al Hadath, in a statement released this Saturday.

According to Burkina Information Agency, this entry constitutes a flagrant violation of Mali's sovereignty and was carried out in collusion with terrorist groups. The Malian authorities have formally rejected the false and baseless information published by the journalist, whose objective is to discredit the Malian Defense and Security Forces.

In its statement, the Ministry deplored a serious breach of journalistic ethics and standards. It also emphasized that such actions, originating from media outlets based in Saudi Arabia, a brothand historically friendly country of Mali, are likely to damage bilateral relations between the two nations.

Given the seriousness of these malicious behaviors, which are punishable under the regulations in force in the Republic of Mali, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has reaffirmed that no action undermining the sovereignty, territorial integrity or unity of Mali will be tolerated.