An Al Qaeda-linked Islamist group in Mali said on Saturday it was ready to negotiate the release of a French hostage, as a French-led offensive to rout Islamists from the north gathered steam.
"The MUJAO is ready to negotiate the release of Gilberto," said Walid Abu Sarhaoui, spokesman for the Movement for Jihad and Oneness, speaking to AFP on the telephone, referring to Gilberto Rodriguez Leal who was kidnapped in November.
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