|
PARIS, July 18, 2009 – Two
French agents kidnapped in Somalia are now held by the Shabaab Islamist
militia and talks to free them will be difficult, Somali Social Affairs
Minister Mohammed Ali Ibrahim told France 24 television on Friday.
Ali Ibrahim added that the kidnapping might be linked to France's
jailing of captured Somali pirates, who he said had relatives in the
militia.
Previously, the pair had been separated and held by two groups --
Shabaab, which is alleged to have ties with Al-Qaeda, and Hizb ul-Islam.
"The latest news we have is that the Shabaab took the man by force this
morning, just after midnight," Ali Ibrahim told the French television
channel.
"Both are with the Shabaab. As long as they're with the Shabaab
negotiations will be hard."
Ali Ibrahim said the kidnapping might be linked to France's jailing of
captured Somali pirates, whom he said had friends in the Islamic
militia.
"The demands are not clear. The main reason for the kidnapping is that
certain Shabaab have associates imprisoned in France, pirates," he said.
Fifteen Somali pirates are being held in France after being captured by
the French navy in the Gulf of Aden. They are accused of taking part in
the hijacking of two French yachts.
Source: AFP, July 17, 2009
|
