Website close to al-Qaeda claims hostage executed
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A French hostage was executed by al-Qaida's North African branch in retaliation for France's military intervention in northern Mali, according to an announcement in a Mauritanian-based website, which is frequently used by the Islamic extremist group.
The information could not immediately be verified, but in Paris, a French Foreign Ministry official said that the government is aware of the report and is investigating. Family members, including the father of the hostage, said they had not received confirmation of the death. (AP)
