Aqim Islamists

Chinese President Xi Jinping today condemned the "cruel and savage" attack by Islamist militants on a hotel in Mali's capital that killed 19 people, including three Chinese executives of a state-run railway firm.

A Dutch hostage freed after being held by Al-Qaeda-linked extremists in Mali for more than three years was due to arrive in the capital Bamako today, Dutch and Malian diplomatic sources said.

French special forces today rescued a Dutch national kidnapped nearly four years ago in northern Mali by AQIM Islamists in an operation that killed a number of suspected jihadists, officials said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping today condemned the "cruel and savage" attack by Islamist militants on a hotel in Mali's capital that killed 19 people, including three Chinese executives of a state-run railway firm.

A Dutch hostage freed after being held by Al-Qaeda-linked extremists in Mali for more than three years was due to arrive in the capital Bamako today, Dutch and Malian diplomatic sources said.

French special forces today rescued a Dutch national kidnapped nearly four years ago in northern Mali by AQIM Islamists in an operation that killed a number of suspected jihadists, officials said.