Story highlights Five foreigners have been evacuated from the hotel in Sevare, state broadcaster says

The gunmen fired and launched rockets, a witness says

At least four soldiers and one foreigner were killed, an army spokesman says

(CNN) Twelve people -- including five Malian soldiers -- died as a result of a hostage situation and ensuing battle between the attackers and soldiers at a Mali hotel, Malian state-run broadcaster ORTM reported Saturday.

Five foreigners have been evacuated from the hotel in Sevare, in central Mali, the broadcaster said.

Earlier, a spokesman for Mali's President told CNN that officials believed the dead included five soldiers, four attackers and three civilians, but that the toll had yet to be confirmed.

Army spokesman Col. Souleymane Maiga said at least one foreigner had been killed, among other casualties, but did not specify the foreigner's nationality.

The soldiers stormed the hotel to end a daylong siege that started Friday when gunmen raided the hotel after attacking a military site nearby, witnesses said.

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