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2010-11-18
France, AQIM 'in contact' about hostages
France is engaged in "all kinds of contact" with al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb regarding the French hostages kidnapped in Niger and now held in Mali, new French Defence Minister told Europe 1 radio on Wednesday (November 17th). "All the authorities, the defence ministry, the foreign ministry, everyone is being extremely vigilant to make the necessary contact," Juppe said, adding that that there was "every reason to believe" that the hostages were still alive.
The radio interview was the first time for France to officially admit any direct communication with the terrorists who abducted five French and two African mining company employees last September in Arlit, Liberte reported.
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