MALIAN SOLDIERS STAND GUARD DURING A CEREMONY IN BAMAKO, 2003-08-04 (photo)

Malian soldiers stand guard during a ceremony in Bamako August 4, 2003. Mali has asked a Tuareg tribal leader to help negotiate the release of 14 European hostages held by Islamic militants in the Sahara desert, a senior Tuareg politician said on Sunday August 3. Iyad Ag Agaly, a former head of Tuareg rebels in northern Mali in the 1990s, had already made contact with the kidnappers, who seized the hostages five months ago, said the politician, asking not to be named. He said Agaly was appointed by Mali's President Toure after reports the militants had brought the hostages - nine Germans, four Swiss and one Dutch national - to Mali from neighbouring Algeria. REUTERS/Yves Herman HRM/JOH