20100724
RFI

France is reported to be making fresh efforts to free hostage Michel Germaneau, held in Mali by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (Aqim). French officials deny that an operation is taking place but Mauritania's army is said to be moving in on the group in its desert stronghold.

Sources have told news agency AFP that the French military stepped up action Saturday to free the 78-year-old hostage. But France's defence ministry denied the claim and said that it has no proof that Germaneau is still alive.

The source added that another operation is underway in the desert, saying that forces from other countries in the region were also taking part.

On Thursday, French-backed Mauritanian forces attacked a suspected Aqim base in the Sahara.

French defence officials on Saturday confirmed that 20-30 French soldiers took part in the raid and that they believed that Germaneau was in the base.

The United States has said that it was not involved in the desert operation that killed six Aqim members, but has been sharing intelligence with both France and Mauritania on Islamist networks.

African Union Peace and Security commissioner Ramtane Lamamra welcomed the operation, declaring that such actions are preferable to the payment of ransoms, which he said finance terrorism.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb is believed to be holding the French aid worker and has been responsible for the murder of a British hostage, among a number of operations in Mali, Algeria, Niger and Mauritania.