Soldiers looted the presidential palace in Mali hours after saying they were taking control of the country.

Mutinous soldiers in Mali have taken over state television and announced that they have seized control of the government.

More than 15,000 people including Malian military personnel have fled into neighbouring countries since members of the nomadic Tuareg ethnic group launched a new rebellion against the Malian government last month, aid officials say.

Fourteen European tourists arrived in Germany today, ending a six month ordeal in the Sahara as hostages of a group linked to al-Qaida.