The United States has called for a new approach to address the growing instability in Mali.

US Deputy Ambassador to the UN Security Council, Cherith Norman, called for the 15 thousand strong peacekeeping forces to be reduced in size.

Ambassador Norman said it was time to recognise that peacekeeping missions were not the answer to growing terror threats in Mali.

She is quoted by the BBC as criticizing both the government and armed groups for failing to implement the 2015 Peace Deal.

Correspondents say the comments are likely to concern France, which is leading the international military effort against Islamist militants in the Sahel region.

France has been calling for more countries to commit troops and resources to address the growing insecurity in Mali.