A diplomatic row has erupted among three West African countries following the release from prison of four suspected Islamist militants.

The four were set free by the authorities in Mali last Thursday. They are said to belong to the Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) movement. AQIM had threatened to kill French hostage Pierre Camatte, who it kidnapped in November 2009, unless the four men were released. Mr Camatte has now been released.
 
However, Mali’s compliance with the demand has sparked the anger of neighbouring Mauritania and Algeria. Both countries have recalled their ambassadors from Mali because they object to the negotiations with AQIM. They are also angry because two of the four were Algerian, one was Mauritanian, and the authorities in Algiers and Nouakchott had wanted to try their nationals on terrorist-related charges.