A group of Malian soldiers clashed with fighters of a major rebel group on Wednesday at Aguel'Hoc, a town in the northern Mali region of Kidal.

An independent source who requested anonymity told Xinhua the clash between the two groups created tension in the area, forcing officers from the French forces to intervene.

The source said the conflict began as three Malian soldiers of Touareg origin were taking tea at a local house in civilian attire, when they were suddenly accosted by fighters of the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) , a Touareg rebel group, who insulted them for remaining loyal to the national army.

Fearing that they could be overpowered, the soldiers called for reinforcement from their colleagues based at the Aguel'Hoc command center, some 200 km from Kidal.

"It was a small matter which was blown out of proportion. But officers from (the French) Serval Operation intervened between the MNLA and Malian army officers. There was no exchange of fire and the situation is now calm," the source said.

The incident occurred after Sunday's second round of Mali's presidential elections, during which the authorities noted that the elections in northern Mali, like in the rest of the country, were peaceful.