Al-Qaida offshoot executes Frenchman
Source: Agencies |
July 27, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A 78-YEAR-OLD ailing French aid worker was executed "in cold blood" by al-Qaida's North African branch three months after his capture, in retaliation for a failed rescue attempt that killed six militants, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said yesterday.
The French leader condemned the death of Michel Germaneau as "odious" and said the killers "will not go unpunished."
Sarkozy made the announcement after convening an urgent meeting of key ministers and military officials, a day after al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb announced Germaneau's execution and said Sarkozy had "opened the doors of hell."
Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, or North Africa, is an affiliate of the original al-Qaida group.
It grew out of an Islamist insurgency movement in Algeria, formally merging with al-Qaida in 2006.
Amid increasing concerns about terrorism and trafficking in northwest Africa, four countries ?? Algeria, Mauritania, Mali and Niger ?? opened a joint military headquarters deep in the desert in April. The goal has been to establish a collective response to threats from traffickers and the al-Qaida offshoot.
The United States is also trying to help and has provided training sessions for African troops in the area.
"I condemn this barbaric act, this odious act against an innocent victim who spent his time helping the local populations," Sarkozy said. He said Germaneau's captors had refused to procure needed medication for the hostage, who had a heart condition.
The al-Qaida offshoot is still holding two Spanish aid workers.
The French leader condemned the death of Michel Germaneau as "odious" and said the killers "will not go unpunished."
Sarkozy made the announcement after convening an urgent meeting of key ministers and military officials, a day after al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb announced Germaneau's execution and said Sarkozy had "opened the doors of hell."
Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, or North Africa, is an affiliate of the original al-Qaida group.
It grew out of an Islamist insurgency movement in Algeria, formally merging with al-Qaida in 2006.
Amid increasing concerns about terrorism and trafficking in northwest Africa, four countries ?? Algeria, Mauritania, Mali and Niger ?? opened a joint military headquarters deep in the desert in April. The goal has been to establish a collective response to threats from traffickers and the al-Qaida offshoot.
The United States is also trying to help and has provided training sessions for African troops in the area.
"I condemn this barbaric act, this odious act against an innocent victim who spent his time helping the local populations," Sarkozy said. He said Germaneau's captors had refused to procure needed medication for the hostage, who had a heart condition.
The al-Qaida offshoot is still holding two Spanish aid workers.
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