Hostages freed after French siege

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Police surround the Lidl supermarket before leading the apparent hostage-takers away

A French hostage siege is over, local media say, several hours after armed men took six people captive at a supermarket in the suburbs of Paris.

Police said a gang of men attacked the Lidl discount store in Sevran, north of the capital, at around 0800 (0600 GMT).

Police surrounded the scene and made contact with the hostage-takers. The captives were released gradually over the following few hours.

Two hostage-takers were arrested, AFP news agency said.

The agency said two suspects were seen emerging from the store with their hands in the air, before being handcuffed and taken away by police.

It is not known what the motive of the armed men was.

Witnesses said all surrounding roads were closed off and the scene was swarming with police.