Algeria Transfers Freed Spanish Hostage to Madrid
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Synopsis
On January 22, Algerian authorities handed over Gilbert Navarro, a freed Spanish hostage, to officials from Spain in a ceremony at Algiers' Foreign Ministry. Navarro expressed gratitude for his release and the need for rest to regain peace. The event highlighted Algeria's commitment against global terrorism and the successful efforts of its security forces.
Key Takeaways
- Gilbert Navarro was released from captivity.
- The handover took place in Algiers.
- Algeria condemned violence and terrorism.
- The Azawad Liberation Front was involved in the abduction.
- International cooperation against terrorism was urged.
Algiers, Jan 22 (NationPress) On Wednesday, the Algerian government officially transferred the liberated Spanish hostage Gilbert Navarro to representatives from Spain during a ceremony held at the Foreign Ministry's headquarters in Algiers.
The event was attended by Fernando Moran Calvo-Sotelo, Spain's Ambassador to Algeria, alongside the Secretary-General of the Algerian Foreign Ministry, Lounes Magramane.
In a statement to the press, Navarro expressed his appreciation to Algeria for facilitating his release, sharing that he is still in a state of shock and requires a few days to regain his peace of mind.
The Secretary-General of the Foreign Ministry reiterated Algeria's firm stance against all forms of violence and terrorism globally, emphasizing that the nation did everything possible to ensure Navarro's safe return.
Magramane also called upon the international community to join forces against terrorism and to eliminate its financial backing.
Navarro was kidnapped on January 14 while on a tourist excursion, near the Algerian-Malian border by an armed group comprising five individuals, according to a report from Xinhua.
The announcement of his release was made earlier on Tuesday by the Azawad Liberation Front, a coalition of Tuareg separatist factions based in northern Mali.
Post-release, Navarro was transported late Tuesday from Tin Zouatin Airport in southern Algeria aboard a private plane to Boufarik military airbase, located 40 km south of Algiers.
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune commended the security agencies and personnel from the Ministry of National Defence for their efficiency and confidentiality during the operation that led to the liberation of the Spanish national.
As noted by the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), the Azawad Liberation Front, or the Mouvement National pour la Liberation de l'Azawad (MNLA), was established in October 2011 after discussions among Tuareg communities in northern Mali. It initially consisted of a mix of Tuareg returnees from the 2011 uprising against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and defectors from the Malian defense and security forces.
The MNLA launched its rebellion against the Malian government in January 2012, rapidly spreading throughout northern Mali.
