France, Sept. 5 -- Mali's transitional government says it has filed a case against Algeria at the International Court of Justice, accusing its neighbour of "premeditated destruction" of a Malian military reconnaissance drone in March.

The complaint relates to the downing of a Turkish-made military drone on the night of 31 March near Tinzaouaten, in the Kidal region.

In astatementissued on Thursday, Mali's Ministry of Territorial Administration alleges Algeria shot down its drone to hinder Mali's military campaign against armed rebels.

It said the incident violated the principle of non-use of force, adding that Algeria had refused to provide evidence that the drone entered Algerian airspace.

The ministry called the destruction of the d...