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Mali gunmen seize French national Mali gunmen seize French national
(about 3 hours later)
A French national has been kidnapped in the north-eastern Mali town of Menaka by armed gunmen, officials say. A French national has been kidnapped in the north-eastern Mali town of Menaka by gunmen, officials say.
The man, whose identity has not yet been confirmed, was said to have been taken on Wednesday. Pierre Kamatte, 61, was said to have been taken from outside his hotel 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.
The man, who was reportedly conducting research into malaria, was seized overnight from his Menaka hotel, AFP news agency reported. Mr Kamatte was reportedly conducting research into malaria when he was seized.
The town is in the province of Gao, close to the border of Niger.
VigilanceVigilance
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".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. French embassy staff are working towards the release of Mr Kamatte.
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. The president of a town-twinning friendship organisation, he is reported to split his time between Mali and France.
In June British tourist Edwin Dyer was killed in Mali by militants. He had been kidnapped in Niger 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.