Russia said on Tuesday it urgently wants peace and stability in Mali, as its military warned that the rebels that captured a key town over the weekend were "regrouping" for fresh attacks.

Russia's Africa Corps paramilitary unit had to withdraw from the northern town of Kidal after coordinated attacks by rebels and terrorists on strategic positions that had been held by authorities.

The country's defence minister was killed, and the presidential palace was targeted in what Moscow called an attempted coup.

"We consider it important that the country return to a peaceful, stable course as soon as possible," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked about the situation in the country.

‘Aggressive intentions’

In a separate statement, Russia's defence ministry said of the rebels: "The enemy has not abandoned its aggressive intentions and is regrouping. The situation in the Republic of Mali remains difficult."

Africa Corps units "continue to carry out their assigned missions and remain prepared to repel attacks by militants, conducting active reconnaissance and destroying... detected targets", it added.

Russia's defence ministry said the fighting had seen "attempts made to seize key facilities in the capital, Bamako -- first and foremost, the presidential palace".

It said the Africa Corps had fought for more than 24 hours before withdrawing from Kidal -- a decision taken by Malian leaders.