France Blames Al-Qaida for Killings of French Hostages in Niger | Europe | English

VOA | France Blames Al-Qaida for Killings of French Hostages in Niger | Europe | English: "The French government says al-Qaida was probably behind the kidnapping and killing of two young French men in the Sahel. The pair were found dead Saturday near Niger's border with Mali following a failed rescue attempt by French and Nigerian forces.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called the incident a 'barbaric and cowardly act.'

After his arrival in Niger, France's defense minister warned French living there to be vigilant.

In a TV interview Sunday, Juppe said the estimated 1,700 French expatriates in Niger should take precautions and French tourists should refrain from traveling to the West African country.

The killing of the two young men has shocked France. It is especially poignant since one of them, an aid worker, was about to be married. The other man was to have been his best man."