Al Qaeda's North African wing has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of seven foreigners in Niger last week, including five French nationals.

The kidnapping marks an escalation between the group and France. Al Qaeda's north African arm (AQIM) executed 78-year-old French hostage Michel Germaneau in July after French commandos took part in a failed raid to free him.

France itself is on heightened alert for possible terror attacks this week after receiving a tip-off that a female suicide bomber was planning to attack Paris' metro system.

In an audio recording played by Qatar-based Al-Jazeera television, a man identifying himself as AQIM's spokesman Salah Abu Mohammed said the group was behind the kidnappings and would soon present its demands to France.

"We inform the government that the mujahideen will soon give its legitimate demands," Mohammed said. "We are also warning against any other acts of stupidity," the spokesman said.
   

The abductions in Niger's northern uranium mining zone on Thursday were the latest in a string in the Sahel region of Africa that have been claimed by AQIM.

Niger provides about a third of the uranium used in France's nuclear power plants.

Until now militants had not been active in the region where the five French, one Togolese and one Malagasy were abducted.

source: Reuters