BAMAKO (Reuters) – Mali authorities have released four Islamist prisoners in an apparent deal with al Qaeda’s north African wing to save a French hostage, according to a Mali newspaper report.

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) had said France and Mali would be “responsible” for the life of Pierre Camatte, who was kidnapped in Mali in November, unless Bamako released the Islamist prisoners by February 20.

via Reuters