UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council on Monday condemned the killing of a UN peacekeeper in the Central African Republic (CAR), calling on the CAR government to "investigate this attack and hold the perpetrators to account."

The peacekeeper from the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) was killed by unknown gunmen on Sunday in the town of Rafai in Mbomou prefecture in the CAR.

"The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms all attacks and provocations against MINUSCA by armed groups," said a statement issued to the press here by the 15-nation UN body.

"They reiterated that attacks against peacekeepers may constitute war crimes and reminded all parties of their obligations under international humanitarian law," the statement said.