Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Four Canadian, European al Qaeda hostages freed-Mali
| International
|
My Profile
Top News
Reuters top ten news stories delivered to your inbox each day.
Subscribe
You are here:
Home
>
News
>
International
>
Article
Home
Business & Finance
News
U.S.
Politics
International
Technology
Entertainment
Sports
Lifestyle
Oddly Enough
Environment
Health
Science
Special Coverage
Video
Pictures
Your View
The Great Debate
Blogs
Weather
Reader Feedback
Do More With Reuters
RSS
Widgets
Mobile
Podcasts
Newsletters
Your View
Make Reuters My Homepage
Partner Services
CareerBuilder
Affiliate Network
Professional Products
Support (Customer Zone)
Reuters Media
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Four Canadian, European al Qaeda hostages freed-Mali
Wed Apr 22, 2009 3:29pm EDT
Email | Print |
Share
| Reprints | Single Page
[-]
Text
[+]
By Tiemoko Diallo
BAMAKO (Reuters) - Two Canadian diplomats and two European tourists held hostage by al Qaeda's north African wing in the Sahara desert have been released, a spokesman for Mali's president said Wednesday.
Canadian Robert Fowler, a United Nations envoy to Niger, disappeared with his aide last December while four tourists -- two Swiss, a German and a Briton -- were kidnapped on the Mali-Niger border in January.
"We confirm the release of four hostages," Seydou Cissouma, a spokesman for Mali's president, told Reuters. He said they were the Canadians and two female tourists.
The freed tourists are from Switzerland and Germany.
Earlier this month, a Malian security source said a team of mediators was negotiating the release of the European tourists.
"We are aware of these media reports and have no comment at this time," said a Canadian foreign affairs spokeswoman.
Sources at the United Nations confirmed Fowler and his assistant Louis Guay were free.
Analysts say the Sahara desert in West Africa has become increasingly insecure and the lines between ideology and criminality have become blurred.
Tuareg rebellions are simmering in both Mali and Niger, Islamist groups are seeking to spread their influence south from Algeria and there is a long tradition of trafficking of cigarettes, weapons and people.
A Malian security source told Reuters the hostages had been handed to local authorities in Gao, over 1,000 km (625 miles) northeast of the capital Bamako. It was not immediately clear where they would be taken next.
Al Qaeda's north African wing had said it was holding the four tourists, who were taken from Mali into neighboring Saharan state Niger, as well as the two Canadians.
The group had demanded 20 of its members be freed from detention in Mali and other countries as a condition for releasing the hostages.
Malian officials initially blamed Tuareg rebels for the January abduction. Military sources in the West African country say al Qaeda hires the nomadic rebels and other armed groups to carry out kidnappings.
The January capture was the worst such incident in Mali since Islamist rebels abducted 32 European tourists in 2003.
(Additional reporting by Patrick Worsnip at the United Nations and David Ljunggren in Ottawa; Writing by David Lewis; Editing by David Clarke and Charles Dick)
© Thomson Reuters 2009 All rights reserved
Share:
Del.icio.us
Digg
Mixx
Yahoo!
Facebook
LinkedIn
Next Article:
Lesotho PM survives assassination attempt
Also On Reuters
Commentary: Killer robots and a revolution in warfare
In app store war, BlackBerry and Google hold their own
Blog: Unanswered questions after Freddie CFO suicide
More International News
South Africans vote in toughest test for ANC
| Video
Sri Lankan war in endgame, 100,000 escape rebel zone
| Video
Clinton talks tough as Iran says ready for meeting
U.S. says nearing key moment in eastern Afghanistan
U.N. launches report on Iraq's contested Kirkuk
More International News...
Editor's Choice
Slideshow
A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours. Slideshow
Most Popular on Reuters
Articles
Video
Global economic crisis hits German sex industry
Freddie executive death apparent suicide: police source | Video
U.S. lawmakers consider credit card reform proposals | Video
Ahmadinejad condemns Israel again after U.N. walk-out
RPT-Oracle embarks on Sun courtship, troops cheer
Fidel Castro dampens hopes for better U.S.-Cuba ties
Director Ron Howard defends "Angels & Demons"
Sri Lankan war in endgame, 81,000 escape rebel zone
Obama opens door to prosecutions on interrogations | Video
NBC picking up Debra Messing comedy
Most Popular Articles RSS Feed
Video
Somali faces piracy charges in US
Retirees head back to work
Obama open to torture prosecutions
Geithner says banks lending less
Smallest earth-like planet found
''Catastrophe'' in Sri Lanka
Play about rape wins Pulitzer
Freddie Mac acting CFO dead
New solar technology to fuel village
Business Update: Banks rebound
Most Popular Videos RSS Feed
Reuters Deals
The global destination for corporate leaders, deal-makers and innovators
Knowledge to Act
Reuters.com:
Help and Contact Us |
Advertise With Us |
Mobile |
Newsletters |
RSS |
Interactive TV |
Labs |
Archive |
Site Index |
Video Index
Thomson Reuters Corporate:
Copyright |
Disclaimer |
Privacy |
Professional Products |
Professional Products Support |
About Thomson Reuters |
Careers
International Editions:
Africa |
Arabic |
Argentina |
Brazil |
Canada |
China |
France |
Germany |
India |
Italy |
Japan |
Latin America |
Mexico |
Russia |
Spain |
United Kingdom |
United States
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Thursday, 23 April 2009 U.S. says nearing key moment in eastern Afghanistan
| International
|
U.N. launches report on Iraq's contested Kirkuk
| International
|
Israeli army says no serious misconduct in Gaza
| International
|
Four Canadian, European al Qaeda hostages freed-Mali
| International
|
Lesotho PM survives assassination attempt
| International
|
In app store war, BlackBerry, Google hold own
| Technology
|
Get SMS-ing, U.S. tech execs urge Web-starved Iraq
| Technology
|
AT&T profit boosted by iPhone, video, Internet
| Technology
|
Amazon Kindle materials half device's retail price: iSuppli
| Technology
|
Microsoft judge says oversight process at much better place
| Technology
|
Charlie Sheen says premature twins doing great
| Entertainment
|
African Queen cinematographer Cardiff dies
| Entertainment
|
Marley's One Love tops Jamaica's best song list
| Entertainment
|
Hannah Montana rises to top of album chart
| Entertainment
|
ANC takes early lead in South African election
| International
|
Israeli foreign minister to travel to Egypt: radio
Violence casts shadow as India votes in new round
| International
|
Taliban advances in Pakistan pose "threat": US
Russian envoy to press North Korea on arms project
| International
|
UN gives Iraq report on troubled Kirkuk
Sri Lankan war in endgame, 100,000 escape rebel zone
| International
|
Turkey says agrees framework for ties with Armenia
| International
|
Swiss bank Credit Suisse back into profit in Q1
U.S. talks tough as Iran says ready for meeting
Clinton defends abortion right worldwide
Mexico president seeks tougher crime laws: report
| International
|
Rights groups cry whitewash over army's Gaza probe
China slams Japan PM over war shrine offering
| International
|
Turkey, Armenia agree 'roadmap' on normalising ties
Israeli army says no serious misconduct in Gaza
World Bank tried to blackmail Bolivia: Morales
| International
|
Britain forecasts economy to shrink fastest since WWII
U.S. urged to focus on governance in Afghanistan
| International
|
Tensions rise in Iraq's Mosul
Boeing profit slammed by global downturn
China shows off its expanding, modernizing navy
| International
|
Israel: Halt Iran to allow Mideast peace efforts
IMF sees deeper 2009 decline, weak 2010
Israeli army defends conduct during Gaza war
US military chief visits troops in Afghanistan
G8 looks to greener White House to lead on global warming
Waxman says climate bill won't be drag on economy
Echelon, T-Mobile USA form smart meter alliance
| Technology
|
MySpace co-founder DeWolfe to step down
| Technology
|
Apple profit beats expectations on iPhones, iPods
| Technology
|
No quick cybersecurity fix seen
| Technology
|
Rice OK'd CIA waterboard request as Bush adviser
Cyber crooks hot on heels of computer users: Chambers
EBay beats Street view, shares rise
| Technology
|
US sentences Colombian drug trafficker to 31 years
Samsung aims to more than double notebook PC sales
| Technology
|
Apple under fire over iPhone 'Baby Shaker'
FDA to allow Plan B birth control for 17-year-olds
VMware software sales fall
| Technology
|
US-TECH Summary
GM employees may get shutdown details this week
Marley & Me top dog in video sales
| Technology
|
"Marley & Me" top dog in video sales
UN chief, Canada welcome Al-Qaeda hostage release
A state-by-state breakdown of volunteering rates
Echelon, T-Mobile USA form smart meter alliance
Ukraine leader to review gas accords with Moscow
Youth volunteering dips, first time since 9/11
Nintendo's Game Boy turns 20
Development banks pledge $90B to Latam, Carib
Samsung aims to more than double notebook PC sales
British pupils in Greek road collision: report
White House fights back on torture flap
US cyberspace head says security needs team effort
FBI offers reward in case of girl missing 6 months
CORRECTED: MySpace might replace co-founder DeWolfe: reports
MySpace chief executive Chris DeWolfe stepping down
Samsung aims to more than double notebook PC sales
EU travelers to get cheaper mobile messages, calls
Double elimination as Idol nears home stretch
| Entertainment
|
Streisand says she can relax after Obama victory
| Entertainment
|
Indians vote amid threats by suspected rebels
Colorado man arrested for shooting bounty hunter Dog
| Entertainment
|
Lost to host stealth campaign for Flash Forward
| Entertainment
|
Judges grill KRouge prison chief
Miss Universe Australia in skinny controversy
| Entertainment
|
Japan's anti-piracy bill passes lower house
Horror director picked for third Twilight film
| Entertainment
|
Violence casts shadow as India votes
Rapper Rick Ross set for third U.S. chart-topper
| Entertainment
|
Golkar throws Indonesian election wide open
Who Wants to be a Millionaire gets summer revival
| Entertainment
|
China angered by Japan PM's war shrine offering
Franz Ferdinand gets dub infusion with Blood
| Entertainment
|
Two police killed in Thailand's south: officials
Poor DVD sales hamper U.S. film financing deals
| Entertainment
|
China protests Japanese leader's shrine offering
Army bullets used in Thai assassination bid: chief
New Zealand wants clear rules on pilot phone calls
Elton John no longer standing on Vegas; ends run
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Hong Kong tycoon drops $2 billion bid for PCCW
"Lost" to host stealth campaign for "Flash Forward"
Seoul shares rise 0.94 pct as techs, autos rally
Franz Ferdinand gets dub infusion with "Blood"
Honda mulling investment request from Pioneer
Celeb birthdays for the week of April 26-May 2
Korea Hot Stocks
French women, thinnest in Europe, think they're fat
Japan's Mizuho Financial to post five-bln-dlr loss
Roger Ebert donates $1 million to U. of Illinois
S.Korea to form $3 bln fund to aid shippers
Miss Universe Australia in "skinny" controversy
New Zealand credit card billings fall in March-RBNZ
Arab novel booms as Beirut named World Book Capital
EBay wins regulator approval for Gmarket deal
Chinese writers fail to find global voice
S.Korea won turns down on importers, IMF forecast cut
S.Korea to support GM Daewoo, Ssangyong's vendors
Iran says pipeline agreement reached with Iraq
Scores killed in Iraq blasts
Afghans welcome security, wary of U.S. tactics
| International
|
Suicide attacks kill dozens in Iraq
Iraq suicide bombs kill 73
Barclays optimistic about 2009
Italy pledges to move July G8 to quake-hit area
| International
|
Volkswagen mulling Porsche counter bid
Suicide bomber kills 28 in Baghdad
Khmer Rouge jailer says ordered to smash prisoners
| International
|
Somalia seeks funds to fight piracy, boost security
| International
|
Ecuador's Correa poised for easy re-election win
| International
|
'Lucky escape' for Australian coral reef
House panel probes climate bill's downsides
Nokia CEO: too early to call bottom of phone demand
| Technology
|
FDA joins state probe into horse deaths in Florida
FBI probes finances of NY man in family slaying
SC wildfire burns homes near popular beach area
Nepal firm to expand mobile coverage to Everest
Nepal firm to expand mobile coverage to Everest
| Technology
|
US lacks civilians for Afghan 'civilian surge'
EU sent draft Intel ruling to member states
EU sent draft Intel ruling to member states
| Technology
|
Clinton: Pakistan realizing threat from insurgents
Stocks fall on weak home sales report
Italy releases funds for quake reconstruction
Gates Found. pledges $57M to overseas libraries
AP Poll: Americans high on Obama, direction of US
New jobless claims rise more than expected to 640K
Santana to receive lifetime achievement award
Tarantino back in Cannes with Almodovar, Campion
| Entertainment
|
China puts naval power on display; pledges peace
Australia charges 2 with people smuggling
Japan honours 'Limits to Growth' science author
Key events in US Marine rape case in Philippines
China shows off its expanding navy
Kazakhs jail opposition journalist
Chinese firm recalls tainted luncheon meat: report
Reliance Industries quarterly profit falls 9.4 pct
US marine acquitted of Philippines rape: court
'Lucky escape' for Australian coral reef
Pakistani shares end 3 pct lower on Taliban fears
China aluminum firm seeks $1.6 billion from IPO
14 soldiers killed fighting forest fire in Nepal
Taiwan pledges $1.3 billion green investment
Australia approves Chinese bid for Oz Minerals
Entropa artwork to go with Czech cabinet in May
Taiwan dollar up in thin trade on exporter deals
Emory to unveil Walker literary archive this week
Taiwan March export orders hint downturn is moderating
Tarantino back in Cannes with Almodovar, Campion
Australia approves Chinese purchase of Oz Minerals
'Idol' finalists Lil Rounds, Anoop Desai are out
Hyundai Motor says profits dive on weak sales
Tarantino, Lee line up for Cannes film festival
Japan's Mizuho Financial forecasts annual net loss
Cannes Fest names 20 films in competition
Aykroyd visits New Orleans rebuilding project site
Japanese pop star arrested for alleged indecency
Ang Lee protege delighted to be shooting again
Indonesia kicks ICRC out of Papua
Indonesia shuts Red Cross office in Papua province
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights