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Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb has set new deadlines for two of its hostages, including Frenchman Pierre Camatte (pictured), the SITE monitoring group said. The captors are demanding the release of four militants by Feb.20 for Camatte’s freedom.

AFP - The north African branch of Al-Qaeda has set new deadlines for France and Italy to win the release of two hostages held in Mali, a monitoring service of Islamist websites said Friday.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which has threatened to kill six European hostages it is holding, said it had extended its deadline for French captive Pierre Camatte until February 20, SITE reported.

It warned that the French and Mali governments must release four AQIM militants held in Mali to win Camatte's freedom.

"Once this precious additional period comes to an end, we will have done all that we can," the group warned in a communique released on jihadist forums, according to the SITE monitoring service.

For Italian hostage Sergio Cicala, AQIM said it was giving the Italian government 25 days, or until March 1, to meet its demands and release imprisoned members whose names it said have been given to Italian negotiators.

"We ask this government, which is involved in the war against Islam and Muslims, to be well aware that the protection of the life of its citizens requires it to be serious in dealing with our demands," it added.

The AQIM communique failed to mention three Spaniards also being held in the northern Mali desert region, or Cicala's wife, Philomene Pawelgba Kabore, who was captured with him.