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Al-Qaeda says European hostages are alive | Al-Qaeda says European hostages are alive |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Al-Qaeda's North Africa branch says eight European hostages it is holding are alive. | Al-Qaeda's North Africa branch says eight European hostages it is holding are alive. |
In a statement on Twitter, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) said it would soon release a video of the captives. | In a statement on Twitter, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) said it would soon release a video of the captives. |
Five of the hostages are said to be French, the nationalities of the others are not clear. | Five of the hostages are said to be French, the nationalities of the others are not clear. |
The statement came after rallies were held across France organised by families of four of the hostages. | The statement came after rallies were held across France organised by families of four of the hostages. |
The events in Paris, Saint-Cere, Nimes, Nantes and Orleans marked 1,000 days of their captivity. | The events in Paris, Saint-Cere, Nimes, Nantes and Orleans marked 1,000 days of their captivity. |
"We would like to reassure the families and parents of the hostages of their children's safety. We will soon, God willing, air a new video showing the five French hostages," the statement said, reproduced on several jihadist websites. | "We would like to reassure the families and parents of the hostages of their children's safety. We will soon, God willing, air a new video showing the five French hostages," the statement said, reproduced on several jihadist websites. |
It repeated previous statements by AQIM that the group would kill the hostages if France carried out any new military operations in North Africa. | It repeated previous statements by AQIM that the group would kill the hostages if France carried out any new military operations in North Africa. |
France sent troops to Mali in January after al-Qaeda-linked militants threatened to over-run the capital, Bamako. | France sent troops to Mali in January after al-Qaeda-linked militants threatened to over-run the capital, Bamako. |
AQIM said it remained open to negotiations. | AQIM said it remained open to negotiations. |
Thierry Dol, Daniel Larribe, Pierre Legrand and Marc Feret were kidnapped in Niger by militants in September 2010 in the town of Arlit while working for a French nuclear firm. | Thierry Dol, Daniel Larribe, Pierre Legrand and Marc Feret were kidnapped in Niger by militants in September 2010 in the town of Arlit while working for a French nuclear firm. |
A video released in September 2012 provided the first evidence that they were still alive. | A video released in September 2012 provided the first evidence that they were still alive. |
Mr Legrand's grandfather, Rene Robert, told French TV on Saturday that "there have been a lot of missed opportunities, there has been a lot of time lost and it is time to bring this situation to an end". | Mr Legrand's grandfather, Rene Robert, told French TV on Saturday that "there have been a lot of missed opportunities, there has been a lot of time lost and it is time to bring this situation to an end". |
The fifth French hostage, Serge Lazarevic, was seized in November 2011 in north-east Mali. | The fifth French hostage, Serge Lazarevic, was seized in November 2011 in north-east Mali. |
Another Frenchman, Philippe Verdon, who was abducted with him was reported killed by AQIM in March this year. In its statement, the Islamist group confirmed his murder. | Another Frenchman, Philippe Verdon, who was abducted with him was reported killed by AQIM in March this year. In its statement, the Islamist group confirmed his murder. |
Correspondents say at least eight French citizens, a Dutchman, a Swede and a South African have been kidnapped in parts of the Sahara desert in recent years. | |
French President Francois Hollande stated in April that France would not pay a ransom for hostages. | French President Francois Hollande stated in April that France would not pay a ransom for hostages. |
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