Hostage kidnapped in Mali probably dead: France

A French hostage abducted in western Mali by Al Qaeda linked Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJWA) two years ago is probably dead, French government said Tuesday.

"The statement from MUJWA, responsible for his kidnapping, leads us unfortunately to believe today that Mr. Rodriguez-Leal is probably dead, even though no material proof can allow us to confirm it," Xinhua quoted foreign ministry spokesperson Romain Nadal as saying in a statement.