Two Austrian hostages kidnapped months ago when they were on holiday in Tunisia have been freed and are in the hands of Malian authorities, agencies reported on Friday.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)

“They are both under the protection of Mali’s army and are on the way to the capital Bamako,” Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik was quoted as saying in a statement.

An affiliate of the Islamic militant group al-Qaida claimed responsibility for abducting them.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet