Al-Qaeda's North African wing has threatened to execute a French hostage unless Mali frees four of its fighters from jail within 20 days.

The terrorist organisation, formally known as al-Qaeda in the Islamic Mahgreb (AQIM) also demanded "a large sum of money" for the release of 61-year-old Pierre Camatte, who was seized in November 2009. The demand appeared on an Islamist website often used by groups allied to al-Qaeda.
 

AQIM, formerly known as the Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat, has claimed responsibility for several attacks in Algeria and neighbouring countries. In December, AQIM sent a video to Al-Jazeera television station claiming that it was holding four European hostages. In addition to Mr Camatte, the organisation says it also has three Spanish hostages. Another organisation allied to al-Qaeda says it is holding two Italians hostage somewhere in northern Mali.
 

Photograph: Wikipedia Commons