UN officials released in North Africa

A Malian official said kidnappers have liberated four foreign hostages who had been held for months, including two UN staffers.

Presidential spokesman Seydou Cissouma said two Canadians working for the United Nations, Robert Fowler, special envoy for Niger, and his aide Louis Guay, were set free along with two female tourists.

Al-Qaida’s North Africa branch had claimed the kidnapping, saying it was holding Mr Fowler, a senior UN peace envoy, and the others after taking them captive in neighbouring Niger.