LOC17:38
14:38 GMT
PARIS, March 23 (KUNA)-- France confirmed on Thursday that one of its nationals was kidnapped in the central African country of Chad and was apparently being held hostage.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that a Frenchman was snatched by unknown kidnappers, but did not diclose further details on the circumstances sorrounding the crime.
Moreover, the Foreign Ministry noted that it was working with the Chadian authorites on the case.
In past years, a number of French nationals have been kidnapped and held for ransom by a variety of groups in Chad, Mauritania and Niger, among other countries.
Several have been killed in protracted negotiations with France and local authorities, but Paris constantly declares it does not pay ransom to kidnappers to secure the release of hostages.
Media here claims that intermediaries are often used to negotiate the release of French nationals in these situations. (end)
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