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Hollande holds phone talks with Nigerian president on Mali

14 March 2013 02:14 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. French President Francois Hollande spoke Wednesday to his Nigerian counterpart Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, discussing the situation in Mali, according to a statement released by the Elysee Palace, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

During their phone talks, the two presidents welcomed the "efficiency" action by African and French forces in the fight against terrorist groups in northern Mali and the progress in the restoration of the territorial integrity of the West African country.

They also discussed the ongoing efforts to secure the release of eight French hostages held in Nigeria.

Hollande thanked the Nigeria president for mobilizing the country's authorities for the release of the French hostages, the Presidency's statement added.

Three weeks ago, seven people from a French family, including three adults and four children, were captured in Cameroon near Nigerian border by three gunmen, who claimed to be from Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamist group. They threatened to kill the captives if Nigerian and Cameroonian officials refuse to free Islamist fighters.

The kidnapping came as French troops fought in northern Mali to help local authorities oust Islamist insurgents and restore sovereignty.