Excerpt:
Al-Qaeda in North Africa has demanded that France overturns its burka ban in return for the release of five French hostages kidnapped in the African state of Niger.
The group is also demanding 7 million euros (£6.1 million) and the release of Islamic militants being held in France as part of their conditions.
Seven captives – five French citizens and two Africans – were abducted in Niger a month ago before being taken to neighbouring Mali.