The Italian Foreign Ministry confirmed Friday in a statement, the kidnapping of an Italian tourist in southern Algeria and the Algerian authorities sought "not to take initiatives" that endanger its security.
"He was asked relevant Algerian counterparts do not take action (...) which can endanger the safety of the Italian citizen," said the Farnesina.
The ministry, "as in all cases of kidnapping of Italian citizens, will keep the reserve required on this matter so as not to interfere with research activities," he specified.
According to the ministry, citing the Algerian police, "February 2 at 18.30 south of the town of Djanet, 90 km from the border with Niger, an Italian tourist was allegedly abducted while she was with three Algerian making an excursion organized by a travel agency. "
"The kidnappers have released the suspected leaders and would away with an Italian citizen," he said.
According to the Algerian APS agency, the kidnappers have allowed their hostages to warn using their cell phone (Thuraya), head of the travel agent who arranged his trip to Djanet.This immediately raised the alarm.
In late September, after the kidnapping of seven hostages in northern Niger, Algeria, Mauritania, Niger and Mali had agreed to create a common information center in Algiers in the wake of the establishment a committee of staff common operational in Tamanrasset (southern Algeria).
But no information has ever been published on the activities of the military group Sahel.
