France concerned body from Mali is French hostage

The body of a middle-aged male found 10 days ago in northern Mali could be that of a French hostage reported to have been executed by Islamist terrorists several months ago, but confirmation must await the results of more tests, diplomats said here. France rarely comments the situation affecting French hostages being held by various groups. Six hostages were being held by Al-Qaeda for an Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in Mali when last January Paris sent thousands of troops to drive the Islamist radicals out of that country. Two months after the French intervention, AQIM said it had killed Philippe Verdon, a consultant-engineer and freelance businessman, but some sources suggest the 56-year-old may have died from natural causes as he was in ill-health and strained because of the captivity. Diplomatic sources said there was a \"very strong probability\" the body found in Mali was that of Verdon, but there was no comment on whether he was executed as claimed by AQIM. French radio quoted President Francois Hollande as saying on Monday that there was \"a very strong chance\" Verdon was dead and his body was the one found in Mali. He warned that those responsible for Verdon\'s death would not go unpunished.