This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/7147068.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
French newsman 'held in Somalia' French newsman seized in Somalia
(about 6 hours later)
A French journalist has been abducted in northern Somalia by unidentified gunmen, sources say. A French journalist has been abducted in northern Somalia by unidentified gunmen, France has confirmed.
The victim has been identified as Gwen Le Gouil, a cameraman. It is not clear for which organisation he was working.
"He was abducted this morning at around 1100 (0800 GMT). The journalist arrived in Bosasso yesterday," a humanitarian worker told AFP news agency on Sunday."He was abducted this morning at around 1100 (0800 GMT). The journalist arrived in Bosasso yesterday," a humanitarian worker told AFP news agency on Sunday.
French media named the victim as Gwen Le Gouil, a cameraman. It is not clear for which organisation he was working. French authorities were in contact with "those who seem to be the kidnappers," Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner said.
He was apparently in the semi-autonomous Puntland region for a story on human trafficking. He said France would do all it could "so that our countryman can be freed as quickly as possible".
"A French journalist has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen," Puntland's deputy governor, Yusuf Mumin Bidde, told Reuters. 'Well and healthy'
"Puntland security officials are now meeting on that issue." Puntland government officials and elders said the abductors had asked for a ransom of $70,000 (£35,000).
"We have seen the journalist and he is doing well," said one elder, Abdihadir Ibrahim Haji.
"There are efforts under way to release the journalist. We hope that he will be released soon. The information we got indicates that he is well and healthy," added Abdulkadir Muhamoud Adne, deputy mayor of the port town of Bosasso.
Mr Le Gouil was apparently in the semi-autonomous Puntland region for a story on human trafficking.
Bosasso is the embarking point for thousands of Somali migrants who cross the Gulf of Aden to Yemen, hoping to reach Europe.
The attempt often ends in tragedy. This weekend the bodies of more than 50 people who set off from Bosasso were reported to have washed up on the Yemeni coast.
'Deal turned sour''Deal turned sour'
The journalist's driver told Reuters that three men armed with AK-47 rifles seized him about 70km (45 miles) from Puntland's port town of Bosasso. Mr Le Gouil is an award-winning journalist, landing this year's Albert Londres prize for a video report on the killing of 17 humanitarian workers in Sri Lanka.
"I, with the translator, tried to talk to the gunmen who demanded a $70,000 (£35,000) ransom," driver Omar Ahmed said. His journalist's driver told Reuters that three men armed with AK-47 rifles seized him about 70km (45 miles) from Puntland's port town of Bosasso.
"I, with the translator, tried to talk to the gunmen who demanded a $70,000 ransom," driver Omar Ahmed said.
He said he thought the journalist had contacted the armed group about a story on Somali migrants being smuggled to Yemen - but that the deal turned sour.He said he thought the journalist had contacted the armed group about a story on Somali migrants being smuggled to Yemen - but that the deal turned sour.
Puntland is known as the most stable part of otherwise lawless Somalia. Puntland has been known as the most stable part of otherwise lawless Somalia.
However, it has become associated with kidnappings, hijackings and piracy.However, it has become associated with kidnappings, hijackings and piracy.