Al Qaeda ‘claims’ kidnappings of Frenchman and three Spaniards

In an audio tape broadcast on an Arabic TV station, an alleged spokesman for al Qaeda’s North Africa branch claimed responsibility for the Nov. 25 kidnapping of a Frenchman (pictured) in Mali and one of three Spaniards in Mauritania on Nov. 29.

AFP - A spokesman for Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb claimed the kidnappings of one Frenchman and three Spaniards, seized late last month in Mali and Mauritania, in a sound tape released Tuesday by Al-Jazeera television.
  
"Two units of the valiant mujahedeen managed to kidnap four Europeans in two distinct operations: the first in Mali where Frenchman Pierre Camatte was seized on November 25, and the second in Muaritania where three Spaniards were held on November 29," spokesman Saleh Abu Mohammad said.
  
The spokesman, who identified the Spanish hostages, added that "France and Spain will be informed later of the legitimate demands of the mujahedeen." He did not go into detail about the demands.
  
Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb is an offshoot of Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda, the terror group that claimed responsibility for the 9/11 bombings in the United States.
  

Date created : 2009-12-08