Two Italians have been kidnapped in the desert nation of Mauritania according to a police chief and security official.
The officials have said that the hostages were taken by gunmen on Friday night from their vehicle. The names of the officials cannot be released as they spoke in condition of anonymity because they were forbidden to speak to the press on the issue.
The two hostages who are from Burkina Faso are believed to be husband and wife said one of the officials. He also added their vehicle was found empty near the village of Kobeni in southern Mauritania.
Italian officials could not be reached to confirm the report.
Mauritania, once known as a predominantly moderate Muslim nation on Africa’s western coast, has been rocked by attacks by the North African al-Qaida group.
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