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The French President Nicolas Sarkozy has met with the freed French hostage Pierre Camatte in Bamako, Mali.

Mr Camatte had been held by a North African terror cell since November and was freed this week following the release from jail of four suspected members of the same organisation.

Following his release Mr Camatte, a hotel owner and the head of an anti malaria humanitarian organisation, was taken to Bamako by Malian security forces where he was met by the French president and took part in a media conference.

Speaking at the event president Sarkozt told reporters: “I thank my friend the president of Mali (Amadou Toumani Toure) for all he has done for the liberation of Pierre Camatte,” and added: “”I say to the people of Mali, that in your fight against al Qaeda, against terrorists, against assassins, that France is determinedly by your side.”

Sarkozy was accompanied on his visit by French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner as the pair tour the former colonies and meet with other North African leaders.

Speaking in the Gabon earlier in the week Mr Sarkozy said: “”I don’t want to forget that there are still other hostages in the area, Spaniards and Italians, who are being held by these terrorist groups that are rampant in the Sahel. All states that are able to do so have to work towards obtaining their release.”

A French national held hostage for three months has been freed by Al Qaida in North Africa.

Pierre Camatte was seized in Menaka in eastern Mali on November 26 by members of the north African chapter of the terror organisation, Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb.

The Frenchman had lived in the country since 2008 running a hotel as well as operating an organisation aimed at reducing malaria infection

But last night officials confirmed that Camatte had been released and was bound for Bamako, from where he was expected to return to France.

No details of his release were given, but commentators believe it comes as a result of a court decision to free four people jailed on suspicion of al Qaida involvement on Tuesday.

The group, consisting of two Algerians, a Mauritanian and a Burkina Fasoan, were found guilty of the charges levelled against them, but sentenced to terms that amounted to less that time served, instigating their immediate release.

The controversial decision to allow the terror suspect to go free came after the organisation posted a message on its website agreeing to hand Camatte over in return for the prisoners.

The cooperation with the terrorists demands has been roundly criticised and North African counterparts reacted by recalling their ambassador to Mali, accusing the region of sending a dangerous message to terrorist with its complicity.

The Algerian foreign ministry said they: “Forcefully condemned and denounced the decision.”

The deadline for the release of four Islamist prisoners demanded by Al Quaeda in exchange for the life of a French hostage has been extended, it was reported yesterday.

The North African branch of the terrorist organisation, which calls itself Al Quaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) had originally demanded that the detainees, who are being held  in Bamako, Mali, were freed by January 30 if authorities wished to save the life of hostage Pierre Camatte.

But yesterday French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner told reporters that the deadline had been extended, allowing more time for the Malian authorities to consider the terrorists demands.

Mr Kouchner told reporters: The deadline has been pushed back, I am not reading anything into it. I am just doing my best to make sure this man escapes death and is freed.”

Speaking on France RFI radio station yesterday (MONDAY) Mr Kouchner then went on to place responsibility for the ultimate outcome of the situation squarely at the door of the Malian authorities, saying: “”Mali is responsible. It is not us, it is Mali. It (the kidnapping) took place on Malian territory.”

The foreign minister confirmed that the French foreign office was working on the case, but would not elaborate on the efforts to free Mr Camatte.

Meanwhile Malian officials are believed to have been in communication with the hostage takers, who also hold three Spanish and two Italian nationals.