Al-Qaeda frees Frenchman kidnapped in Mauritania

Wednesday, February 24, 2010
BAMAKO: An Al-Qaeda offshoot in north Africa on Tuesday freed Frenchman Pierre Camatte after almost three months following the release of four foreign Islamic militants by Mali, a negotiator told media.

"Pierre has been freed. He's well, that's the most important," the Malian source said, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding that he was freed in northern Mali's Kidal region.

French President Nicolas Sarkosy called his Malian counterpart Amadou Toumani Toure to thank him and "assured him of France's backing to fight terrorism," the Elysee said in a statement.

Camatte, 61, was kidnapped on the night of November 26 from a hotel by Malians who then passed him on to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

His release comes after Mali freed four militants, as demanded by AQIM: two from Algeria, one from Burkina Faso and one from Mauritania.

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