He said there was "a real willingness by all that they have to be serious about engagement" and everyone recognised the need to support the police.

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"By all accounts, we are expecting a serious weather event, " he said, adding that the storm was likely to start as a light snow on Friday morning and become heavier as the day goes on, with the worst coming between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.

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"We thought first of all of the families who must have suffered a serious shock, " he said.

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On a more serious note, he said the closeness of the election "should make it clear to all of us that we can come together to heal whatever wounds may exist, whatever residuals there may be".

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"All those alleged to be responsible for serious crimes in Mali must be held accountable, " he said.

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