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Algeria wants diplomats freed from Mali

ALGIERS, Algeria, Oct. 8 (UPI) -- The Algerian government said Tuesday it was taking dramatic steps to secure the release of diplomats kidnapped in northern Mali.

Algerian diplomats were kidnapped by al-Qaida allies who seized territory in northern Mali following a coup in Bamako in 2012.

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Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra was quoted by the official Algeria Press Service as saying the government deployed "huge efforts" to secure their release.

The Foreign Ministry last month extended a message of congratulations to new Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. The Algerian government said it had a "deep ... and strong relationship with Mali."

Mali is struggling to ensure national unity following a 2012 coup. The interim government called for military support from former colonial power France to help fight al-Qaida and nomadic fighters who took control in northern Mali after the coup.

The BBC reported Tuesday a bridge in the city of Gao was bombed by militants. It came a day after the city was shelled by forces suspected of being aligned with those who seized northern turf after the coup.

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