Spanish hostage in Africa freed

A Spanish woman kidnapped in West Africa last year has been freed, the Spanish government says.

There are unconfirmed reports that an Italian woman held by the same group has also been released.

Spaniard Alicia Gamez, and Italian Philomene Kaboure, both 39, were seized last year and held by a militant group, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.

They were seized separately in Mauritania, and then held in neighbouring Mali.

Two other male Spaniards and another Italian - Ms Kaboure's husband - are still being held.

The two hostages were released in Burkina Faso, according to diplomatic sources cited by Spanish, French and Italian media.

The Spanish government later confirmed Ms Gamez' release, but there has been no confirmation about Ms Kaboure.

Ransom demands

The three Spanish aid workers were snatched from a convoy by armed men on a road between the Mauritanian cities of Nouakchott and Nouadhibou on 29 November.

Ms Kaboure and her husband, Sergio Cicala, 65, were seized the following month.

They were all taken to northern Mali.

A Frenchman seized in Mali in November and held by the same group was released last month after its demand that Mali release four prisoners was met.

The Mauritanian government reacted with outrage, saying giving in to the demands would encourage further kidnapping.

Spanish media reported recently that al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb had demanded a ransom to release the hostages, and El Mundo newspaper alleged that the Spanish government was in the process of paying.