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French national abducted in Algeria French national abducted in Algeria
(35 minutes later)
A French man has been kidnapped in eastern Algeria, the French foreign ministry has confirmed. A French man has been kidnapped in Algeria, French foreign minister Laurent Fabius has confirmed.
The man was seized on Sunday in Tizi Ouzou in the restive north-east region of Kabylie, the ministry said. Herve Gourdel was seized on Sunday in Tizi Ouzou in the unsettled north-east region of Kabylie, France confirmed.
It later confirmed the authenticity of a video posted on the internet that showed the man reading out a statement flanked by armed men. Mr Fabius said a video posted online that showed Mr Gourdel reading out a statement flanked by armed men appeared to be authentic.
In the video, the man calls on French President Francois Hollande not to intervene in Iraq. He is shown calling on French President Francois Hollande not to strike Islamic State militants in Iraq.
Earlier, militants from the Islamic State (IS) group warned they would target France - and other countries - after it launched air strikes against them in Iraq. Earlier, militants from the Islamic State (IS) group warned they would target France - and other countries - after it launched air strikes against.
The Algerian interior ministry described the man as a 55-year-old mountain guide. "We confirm the authenticity of the video showing images of French hostage Herve Gourdel, kidnapped in Algeria in the region of Tizi Ozou on Sunday," the ministry said in a statement.
"The threats made by this terrorist group shows once again the extreme cruelty of (Islamic State) and those who say they are affiliated to it."
The Algerian interior ministry described Mr Gourdel as a 55-year-old mountain guide.
It said he and two Algerian companions had been driving through mountains near the village of Ait Ouabane when they were stopped by armed men. The gunmen let the Algerians go.It said he and two Algerian companions had been driving through mountains near the village of Ait Ouabane when they were stopped by armed men. The gunmen let the Algerians go.
In the video, militants who say they are members of the Algerian group Jund al-Khilifa threaten to kill their hostage unless France ends its military operation in Iraq.In the video, militants who say they are members of the Algerian group Jund al-Khilifa threaten to kill their hostage unless France ends its military operation in Iraq.
The man is flanked by two armed, masked men and says he was taken hostage on Sunday. Mr Gourdel is flanked by two armed, masked men and says he was taken hostage on Sunday.
President Hollande's office said he had spoken by telephone to Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal.President Hollande's office said he had spoken by telephone to Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal.
A statement said there was "total co-operation" to try to find the Frenchman and that authorities in both countries were in constant contact.A statement said there was "total co-operation" to try to find the Frenchman and that authorities in both countries were in constant contact.
Kabylie is a rugged, mountainous region which has seen several kidnappings of Algerian businessmen for extortion.Kabylie is a rugged, mountainous region which has seen several kidnappings of Algerian businessmen for extortion.
Most of those who were abducted were later freed by security forces.Most of those who were abducted were later freed by security forces.
Al-Qaeda's North Africa branch, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), and other militant groups are known to operate in Algeria.Al-Qaeda's North Africa branch, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), and other militant groups are known to operate in Algeria.
AQIM has carried out deadly attacks in Kabylie this year.AQIM has carried out deadly attacks in Kabylie this year.
France on Monday raised the threat level for 30 of its embassies throughout the Middle East and Africa after beginning its first air strikes against IS targets in Iraq on Friday.France on Monday raised the threat level for 30 of its embassies throughout the Middle East and Africa after beginning its first air strikes against IS targets in Iraq on Friday.
It has said that everything must be done to remove IS militants from the region.It has said that everything must be done to remove IS militants from the region.