"Great gratitude to Niger for this liberation," the French president said in a tweet after speaking by phone with the journalist, who arrived Monday at Niamey airport.

In a statement, the Elysee confirmed that the president had learned of his "release by the Nigerien authorities", without further details on the circumstances.

"He is pleased to know that he is in good health and soon to return to France" and "welcomes and also welcomes the release of American citizen Jeffery Woodke, which occurred at the same time," said the presidency.

"The President of the Republic expresses his gratitude to Niger for this release and reaffirms the commitment of the France in the fight against terrorism in the Sahel," concludes the Elysee.

At the National Assembly, all the deputies and ministers, standing, paid tribute to Olivier Dubois.

Olivier Dubois, who is not known if he remained in Mali for the duration of his detention, was the only French hostage not held by a state in the world since the release in October 2020 of Sophie Petronin, also kidnapped in Mali.

© 2023 AFP