Latest update: 23/11/2010 

- al Qaeda - France - hostages - kidnapping - Osama bin Laden - terrorism


France rejects al Qaeda demands

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Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has demanded that France negotiate with Osama Bin Laden for the release of seven hostages, including five French nationals, taken in Niger. It's the first time AQMI militants have made a reference to Al Qaeda's chief, believed to be hiding somewhere on the Afghan-Pakistani border. AQMI wants France to withdraw its 4,000 troops from Afghanistan in exchange for the hostages.

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