Algerian diplomats freed after two years’ captivity in Mali

ALGIERS — Two Algerian diplomats kidnapped in Mali in April 2012 by the Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) were freed on Saturday, the Algerian foreign ministry announced.

A third diplomat, consul Boualem Sayes, had died in captivity "from a chronic illness", the ministry said.

It did not say whether Mourad Guessas and Kedour Miloudi had been released by their kidnappers or had been freed in a military operation.

The ministry did say, however, that Algeria had not paid a ransom to secure their freedom.

The two were released "after intense and tireless efforts" by authorities using "the utmost discretion", a statement said.

It also confirmed for the first time the execution, reported in September 2012, of vice-consul Tahar Touati, describing his death as an "odious assassination".

The information was confirmed by a security source in Mali, who told AFP: "A wing of the armed groups in northern Mali managed on Friday night to secure the release of two Algerian diplomats from the hands of MUJAO."