BAMAKO, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Mali's northern rebel MUJAO claims to have executed an Algerian diplomat in their captivity for months.
In a statement disclosed on Sunday, MUJAO said the diplomat was killed after Algerian authorities failed to release its fighters this week.
MUJAO leader Oumar Ould Hamaha on Saturday announced the seizure of Douentza, less than 200 km away from the government- held central town of Mopti.
The takeover from another rebel group is a new step by MUJAO to gain ground in northern Mali, which was taken by extremist and separatist rebels in late March and early April.
An Algerian consul and six other diplomats were kidnapped on April 5 in Mali's northeastern city of Gao.
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