An Italian couple kidnapped almost four months ago in the West African country of Mauritania has been released: in the north of neighbouring Mali.

North African extremists linked to al-Qaeda - Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) - released the captives after a series of high-level negotiations. Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure is said to have been personally involved. The Italian foreign minister, Franco Frattini, said he had raised the matter with both the Mauritanian and Malian presidents.

Last month, the same extremist group released a Spanish captive. In February they released a Frenchman they had taken prisoner. However, they still hold two Spanish men who were kidnapped in northern Mauritania at the end of November.

AQIM had demanded the release of Mauritanian prisoners in exchange for the freedom of the Italian couple. But their deadline of March 1 passed with no news. On March 4, Mauritanian Prime Minister Moulaye Ould Mohamed Laghdhaf said his government refused to negotiate with "terrorist groups" or to exchange the prisoners to secure the release of the hostages.

It is not known what terms were agreed for the release of the couple.