European hostages safe, says al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb
But African group warns the eight will be killed if there is new French military action
Eight European hostages, including five from France, being held by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) are safe, the Islamist group said in a statement posted on its Twitter account.
The statement coincided with rallies across France organised by the families of French hostages who were seized in Niger in September 2010 to mark more than 1,000 days of captivity.
French newspapers reported last week that the hostages had been transferred to Algeria and were in the hands of AQIM's new chief, Yahia Abou el Hamam.
The French government declined to comment on the report.
"We would like to assure the family and relatives of the hostages of the safety of their children," said the Twitter message, posted by AQIM's Andalus Media arm.
The message repeated previous statements by AQIM that it would kill the hostages if there were any new French military intervention in North Africa, but said it remained open to negotiations to free them.
"Although we are nearing three years holding the hostages, we are open to negotiations. Our demands were clear and legitimate. But they were rejected," the statement said.