AMMAN, Dec. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- Jordanian government spokeswoman Asma Khader said Tuesday that the two French hostages freed in Iraq are not in Jordan.

    They have not crossed the Jordanian border until this moment, she said.

    Christian Chesnot of Radio France Internationale and Georges Malbrunot of Le Figaro newspaper were released earlier in the day four months after they were kidnapped when heading from Baghdad to the southern Iraqi city of Najaf.

    A militant group calling itself the Islamic Army in Iraq claimed responsibility for the abduction.

    Their release has been confirmed by the French government which said they would return to France as soon as possible.

    French Foreign Minister Michel Barnier was to leave Paris overnight Tuesday to pick up the two French journalists.

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