Around the World: Italy

Al-Qaida claims kidnapping

Al-Qaida's North African wing said yesterday it was responsible for the kidnapping this month of an Italian couple in Mauritania, Al Arabiya television reported.

Salah Abu Mohamed, a spokesman for Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, said in an audiotape recorded on Dec 27 the seizure of the Italians was connected to the "crimes of the Italian government in Afghanistan and Iraq", Al Arabiya said.