  French hostages released in Cameroon April 19, 2013 - 15:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A French family of seven abducted by Islamic extremists while holidaying in Cameroon have been freed after two months in captivity, officials said Friday, April 19, according to AFP. The hostages - a father, mother, four children aged 5 to 12, and an uncle - were all in good health, the French presidency said, adding that Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius was on his way to the central African state to greet the family. The Cameroonian president said in a statement read on national radio that the hostages -- who were seized by six gunmen on February 19 and taken to neighboring Nigeria -- had been "handed over last night to Cameroonian authorities". He did not say how they were freed but he thanked the governments of Nigeria and France. The French foreign minister said they were freed overnight on Thursday to Friday "in an area between Nigeria and Cameroon". "I spoke to the family on the phone. They are extremely happy and in good shape," Fabius told AFP. The family were seen arriving Friday at the French embassy in Yaounde, the Cameroonian capital. French President Francois Hollande insisted after their release that France had not paid any ransom. They had been held by Islamist sect Boko Haram -- which is blamed for killing thousands of people in an insurgency in northern Nigeria since 2009.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty  Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty.Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza.Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations.Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |
