French national abducted in Chad

PARIS: A French civilian has been abducted in the central African nation of Chad, French authorities said on Thursday.

The kidnapping took place near the eastern city of Abeche, a military source told reporters in Paris, saying "all means have been mobilised" to secure their release.

The French foreign ministry confirmed the abduction, without giving details.

Several French and other Western nationals have been kidnapped by Jihadist groups in west and central Africa in recent years.

The only known French hostage currently being held anywhere in the world is Sophie Petronin, head of a NGO who was abducted by armed men in the northern Malian town of Gao late last year.