It is being reported that two female hostages held by al-Qaeda insurgents in Mali have been freed. The Italian and Spanish women, both aid workers, are said to be on their way to neighbouring Burkina Faso, although the liberation has not been fully confirmed.

Three other hostages, an Italian and two Spanish men, are still being held by the militants. Earlier, Madrid said it also hoped to announce ‘‘good news’‘ regarding their fate.

The voluntary workers were kidnapped in Mauritania at the end of November last year while delivering relief to villages.

Copyright © 2012 euronews