afrol News, 26 December - Two of the three suspects accused of murdering four French tourists have been linked to al-Qaeda, Mauritanian prosecutors said.

In a statement, the prosecutors linked the attackers to al-Qaeda's Islamic Magreb branch.

The four French tourists, who belonged to the same family, were shot dead by gunmen close to the southern Mauritanian town of Aleg. The fifth tourist survived the attack and was airlifted to Senegal for treatment.

The attack resulted when the tourists were having picnic on the roadside on Tuesday. Unidentified men holding automatic weapons reportedly opened fire on the tourists and sped off, but their car was recovered in Aleg.

Mauritanian security would not disclose the number and identify of suspects they have arrested in connection with the attack.

The attackers are reported to have fled towards the Senegal-Mauritania border.

Mauritanian authorities said they have since opened investigations into the murder and believed that those responsible would be arrested and prosecuted.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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