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Mali gunmen seize French national Mali gunmen seize French national
(40 minutes later)
A French national has been kidnapped in the northern Mali town of Menaka by armed gunmen, officials say. A French national has been kidnapped in the north-eastern Mali town of Menaka by armed gunmen, officials say.
The man, whose identity has not yet been confirmed, was said to have been taken on Wednesday.The man, whose identity has not yet been confirmed, was said to have been taken on Wednesday.
The UK recently warned its nationals not to visit northern Mali because of the threat of attack by the North African branch of al-Qaeda.The UK recently warned its nationals not to visit northern Mali because of the threat of attack by the North African branch of al-Qaeda.
The group has seized several Westerners for ransom in recent months- sometimes kidnapping them in foreign countries. The group has seized several Westerners for ransom in recent months - sometimes kidnapping them in foreign countries.
An unnamed Menaka municipal counsellor told AFP news agency that the man, who was reportedly conducting research into malaria, had been "taken by three armed men who were were wearing turbans". The man, who was reportedly conducting research into malaria, was seized overnight from his Menaka hotel, AFP news agency reported.
The town is close to the border of Niger. The town is in the province of Gao, close to the border of Niger.
Last week the French embassy in Mali had warned its citizens of the risk of kidnapping in desert regions, the Reuters news agency reported. Vigilance
In a statement, the French foreign ministry warned its citizens of the risk of kidnapping in the region and urged those travelling outside of the capital Bamako to be "extra vigilant".
French embassy staff are working towards the release of the man.
In June British tourist Edwin Dyer was killed in Mali by militants. He had been kidnapped in Niger in six months earlier close to the border with Mali.In June British tourist Edwin Dyer was killed in Mali by militants. He had been kidnapped in Niger in six months earlier close to the border with Mali.
Last month the US said it was preparing to give Mali's army millions of dollars worth of military hardware to help them fight al-Qaeda's North African branch.Last month the US said it was preparing to give Mali's army millions of dollars worth of military hardware to help them fight al-Qaeda's North African branch.