Video footage released abductees

The hostages entirely foreign nationals of Western countries

A videotape allegedly made by the militia wing of al-Qaida in West Africa shows the seven hostages are still alive.

According to the Mauritanian news agency, ANI, which is a media receiver posts the video, faces appear inside four French citizens kidnapped in a Niger uranium mine site three years ago.

The hostages, including a citizen of the Netherlands, Sweden, and a South African citizen, was kidnapped in northern Mali in November 2011 and appears healthy.

Like the video footage ever released before, the French Foreign Ministry believes the video is genuine.
ANI allegedly received a shipment this video from al-Qaeda network in the Maghreb region Africa (AQIM).

"From the preliminary analysis of this video seems pretty original and new evidence about the existence of four French citizens kidnapped in Arlit (Niger North) on 16 September," said French Foreign Ministry spokesman Philippe Lalliot.

'Doing it all'

It was unclear when the video was made, but according to the recording ANI concerning the existence of the French hostages made last June.

In the recording of the French appear Larribe Daniel, 61, said: "I am in good health but was threatened with death.''

He also said the French authorities responsible for his life, reports ANI.

"I am in good health but was threatened with death."
Daniel Larribe

There's no other details except that the three other French citizens are Pierre Legrand, Thierry Dol and Marc Feret.

While Dutch citizens Sjaak Rijke, Johan Gustafsson hostage Sweden, and South African nationals abducted Stephen Malcolm was taken nearly two years ago from a base near Timbuktu.

When the group of kidnappers abduct invaded and besides they also killed a German citizen.

This is the first video footage aired since French troops sent to Mali last January amid the threat of al-Qaida linked militia trying to take control of the capital Bamako.

French President Francois Hollande said last July that his government "has done it all" in an attempt to free the hostages. But he declined to comment further for fear of exacerbating the situation "which is very bad".

Not specified what is meant in a variety of ways in which the French government including to offering ransom to the kidnappers.