German tourists freed in Niger

The German foreign ministry says five German tourists who were abducted in the West African country of Niger have been freed by their captors.

The ministry says that it has been told by the tour company that all the tourists were released unharmed, but their jeep was stolen.

Seven Germans and their guide, also a German, were travelling in the north of the country when they were attacked by unknown assailants.

Two of the group and the guide escaped, but the other five were briefly held by the attackers.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service