Sarkozy: old French man executed in Africa

A 78-year-old ailing French aid worker was executed "in cold blood" by al-Qaeda's North African branch three months after his capture, in retaliation for a failed rescue attempt that killed six militants, President Nicolas Sarkozy said yesterday.
The French leader condemned the death of Michel Germaneau as "odious" and said the killers "will not go unpunished."
Sarkozy made the announcement after convening an urgent meeting of key ministers and military officials at the presidential Elysee Palace, a day after al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb announced Germaneau's execution and said Sarkozy had "opened the doors of hell."