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Austrian hostages 'freed in Mali' Austrian hostages freed in Mali
(6 minutes later)
Two Austrian hostages held for months by suspected Islamic militants in the Sahara desert have been freed, the authorities in Mali say. Two Austrian hostages held for months by Islamic militants in the Sahara desert have been freed, officials in Mali and Austria say.
The two, Andrea Kloiber, 43, and Wolfgang Ebner, 51, disappeared in February while on holiday in Tunisia.The two, Andrea Kloiber, 43, and Wolfgang Ebner, 51, disappeared in February while on holiday in Tunisia.
They were believed to have been seized in a remote area by members of the North African branch of al-Qaeda. The North African branch of al-Qaeda said it had seized them.
A statement from Mali's government says the two "are free and are under the protection of the Malian army". Mali's government said the two were now "free and under the protection of the Malian army". The statement was later confirmed by the Austrian authorities.
There are no details about how they were released.There are no details about how they were released.