Mali Military Frees President, Prime Minister

"The interim president and prime minister were released overnight around 1:30 am (0130 GMT). We were true to our word," the official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Mali's interim president and premier have been released, a military official said Thursday, three days after they were detained and then stripped of their powers in what appeared to be the country's second coup in nine months. Their release met a key demand of the international community, but fell far short of other calls for an immediate return to civilian government. "The interim president and prime minister were released overnight around 1:30 am (0130 GMT). We were true to our word," the official told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity.