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Release of Mali soldiers welcomed Release of Mali soldiers welcomed
(about 4 hours later)
Civil society groups in Mali have welcomed the release of 44 soldiers held by Tuareg rebels, saying it could pave the way for lasting peace.Civil society groups in Mali have welcomed the release of 44 soldiers held by Tuareg rebels, saying it could pave the way for lasting peace.
Mali's government said it had freed all its rebel prisoners in a return gesture, but did not give a number.Mali's government said it had freed all its rebel prisoners in a return gesture, but did not give a number.
The release of the soldiers was completed amid regional negotiations to end more than a year of rebellion in northern Mali.The release of the soldiers was completed amid regional negotiations to end more than a year of rebellion in northern Mali.
Tuaregs there are demanding more autonomy and a greater wealth-sharing.Tuaregs there are demanding more autonomy and a greater wealth-sharing.
Mariam Maiga, head of the National Peace Coalition Against Small Arms Trafficking, said the release by rebel leader Ibrahim Ag Bahanga was crucial for national unity.Mariam Maiga, head of the National Peace Coalition Against Small Arms Trafficking, said the release by rebel leader Ibrahim Ag Bahanga was crucial for national unity.
"Our children, our husbands and brothers will return to their families," she said, reports the UN's Irin news agency."It is a beginning of a long-awaited and much hoped-for peace." "Our children, our husbands and brothers will return to their families," she said, reports the UN's Irin news agency. "It is a beginning of a long-awaited and much hoped-for peace."
An official at Mali's Association for the Consolidation of Peace, Development and Human Rights, Ibrahim Ag Idbaltanant, called on both sides to fully honour recent peace agreements, including a government promise to provide $2m (£1.1m) of development aid for the north.An official at Mali's Association for the Consolidation of Peace, Development and Human Rights, Ibrahim Ag Idbaltanant, called on both sides to fully honour recent peace agreements, including a government promise to provide $2m (£1.1m) of development aid for the north.
The 44 soldiers were handed over on Tuesday to a Libyan diplomat in the Kidal region between Niger and Algeria, before their expected transfer to the Malian military.The 44 soldiers were handed over on Tuesday to a Libyan diplomat in the Kidal region between Niger and Algeria, before their expected transfer to the Malian military.
Although the army said four soldiers remained in captivity, Malian officials said the release opened the way for peace negotiations to restart, Reuters news agency reported.
"In the same spirit of peace, all of the combatants arrested and held by the nation's military authorities have been handed over to Tuareg leaders," the Malian government said."In the same spirit of peace, all of the combatants arrested and held by the nation's military authorities have been handed over to Tuareg leaders," the Malian government said.
Analysts said the release marked a breakthrough for Mali, but said the situation surrounding a similar rebellion in neighbouring Niger was deteriorating.Analysts said the release marked a breakthrough for Mali, but said the situation surrounding a similar rebellion in neighbouring Niger was deteriorating.
Both Libya and Algeria have been trying to broker a peace deal with Mali's Tuaregs.Both Libya and Algeria have been trying to broker a peace deal with Mali's Tuaregs.
Tuareg rebels in Mali and Niger have been involved in sporadic armed rebellions for decades.Tuareg rebels in Mali and Niger have been involved in sporadic armed rebellions for decades.