Mali extends state of emergency by 10 days as Islamist violence surges

BAMAKO (Reuters) - Mali extended a state of emergency for 10 days on Wednesday, the council of ministers said, after a spate of attacks by armed groups killed dozens and destabilised the vast desert country still reeling from an Islamist insurgency. The council of ministers also declared a three-day period of mourning for the 17 soldiers killed in an attack by suspected Islamists on an army base on Tuesday. (This version of story corrects to show that state of emergency was extended, not declared, and period is for 10 days, not three months) (Reporting by Adama Diarra, Writing by Tim Cocks; Editing by Leslie Adler)