No negotiation over hostages

FRANCE’S new foreign minister has rejected a reported message from al-Qaida’s North Africa branch saying that Paris should negotiate with Osama bin Laden over the fate of five French hostages seized from an African mining town.

“France cannot accept that its policies are dictated from abroad by anyone at all,” Michele Alliot-Marie said.

“France is doing all in its power so that all hostages are freed safe and sound.”