Three kidnapped Algerian diplomats freed in Mali
Three Algerian diplomats abducted by Islamist rebels in northern Mali in April have been freed, but four others are still being held.
An Algerian security source and a Malian Islamist told Reuters on Friday that
all seven diplomats had been released but there was no official comment on
the matter until Sunday.
"I can say that three of our diplomats have been freed and are back
home. What I can say also is that we are hopeful to see all seven diplomats
handed over as quickly as possible," Foreign Minister Mourad Medelci
told a news conference.
Algeria said in April its diplomats – a consul and six consular staff – were
kidnapped from Gao, part of a swathe of territory in northern Mali then
under the control of Tuareg-led separatists who had pushed out the military
in a rebellion launched in January.
That rebellion has since been hijacked by a mix of local and foreign Islamist
fighters who have taken control of northern Mali, imposing Islamic law and
destroying ancient Sufi tombs in Timbuktu, classified by UNESCO as a world
heritage site.
Western and African governments are struggling to muster a response to the
crisis as politicians in the capital Bamako continue to squabble over how
the country should be governed after a coup removed the president in March.
Algeria shares a border with Mali. Its diplomats may have been targeted because the Algerian government has been waging a long campaign against Islamist militants, including al-Qaida's North Africa wing, on its own territory.
Analysts and sources say Algeria is concerned about the turmoil in Mali but is reluctant to intervene lest it become embroiled in a messy cross-border conflict.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/mali/9402254/Three-kidnapped-Algerian-diplomats-freed-in-Mali.html
Algeria shares a border with Mali. Its diplomats may have been targeted because the Algerian government has been waging a long campaign against Islamist militants, including al-Qaida's North Africa wing, on its own territory.
Analysts and sources say Algeria is concerned about the turmoil in Mali but is reluctant to intervene lest it become embroiled in a messy cross-border conflict.
Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/mali/9402254/Three-kidnapped-Algerian-diplomats-freed-in-Mali.html
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