2 U.N diplomats were kidnapped by al-Qaeda

Algerian-based al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) terrorist organisation have claimed responsibility for two recent kidnapping incidents involving Westerners in Niger and Mali. The AQIM indicated that it had abducted two Canadian U.N. diplomats outside of the Nigerien capital, Niamey, in December of 2008. The group also claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of a group of European tourists in the Gao region of Mali near the Niger border in January 2009. AQIM representatives indicated that they will soon specify the conditions for the release of the Westerners.