World Bulletin / News Desk

Major General Jean-Paul Deconinck of Belgium has been appointed as commander of the peacekeeping force in Mali, the UN's most dangerous mission, the UN announced Thursday.

Deconinck replaced Major General Michael Lollesgaard of Denmark who was force commander for a year.

More than 100 peacekeepers have been killed since the mission was established in 2013.

Mali regained control of the north after a French-led military intervention in January 2013 drove out rebels, but insurgents remain active across large parts of the region.