Algerians free kidnap victims

Two Frenchmen seized by suspected Muslim fundamentalist kidnappers in Algeria returned home yesterday and the French Foreign Minister, Alain Juppe, said a third hostage had also been freed, Reuter reports from Paris. All three were seized in central Algiers a week ago. French media said six or seven people were shot dead in a joint operation by the Algerian army, police and para-military gendarmerie to rescue Jean-Claude Thevenot and Alain Freissier, on Saturday night. Mr Juppe said that Mr Thevenot's wife, Michele, had also been released.