After secret talks, four French hostages, kidnapped three years ago by al Qaeda's north African wing in Niger, have finally been released.
The freed hostages were flown into Niger's capital where they were greeted by the French foreign and defence ministers and the Niger President.
PRESIDENT OF NIGER MAHAMADOU ISSOUFOU SPEAKING WITH TWO RELEASED FRENCH HOSTAGES STANDING NEXT TO HIM / FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER LAURENT FABIUS (IN SUIT) STANDING NEXT TO HOSTAGES / (SOUNDBITE) (French) PRESIDENT OF NIGER, MAHAMADOU ISSOUFOU, SAYING:
"Niger is pleased about the liberation of the hostages. The liberation of the hostages took place in close collaboration with President Hollande. As you know it is more than 3 years since the hostages were kidnapped and Niger took measures to ensure their freedom which happened today.
Pierre Legrand, Daniel Larribe, Thierry Dol and Marc Feret were kidnapped by the Islamic Maghreb organisation in September 2010.
Visibly tired, dress