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UNITED NATIONS. — The United Nations Security Council has “strongly condemned” the kidnapping and slaying of two French radio journalists in Mali’s troubled northeast.
Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon of Radio France International were found dead after being kidnapped by armed men in the northern city of Kidal. The two had travelled there on Saturday to interview a spokesperson for the Tuareg separatist group the National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad  and were abducted outside his home, according to their employer.

In a statement late on Saturday, the Security Council members “expressed their condolences to the family of the victims” as well as to the French government.

“In accordance with international humanitarian law, journalists, media professionals and associated personnel engaged in dangerous professional missions in areas of armed conflict are generally considered as civilians and shall be respected and protected as such,” the statement read. — AFP.