« | Main | »

Spain has refused to pay Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb a $7 million ransom for the release of three Spanish aid workers who were abducted from their convoy when traveling to Nouadhibou from Nouakchott. Prime Minister Jose Rodriguez Zapatero made the government™s position "clear and firm." The kidnapping has compelled Spain to align its agenda with that of Algeria™s government in their fight against AQIM.