French Nationals Arrested in Somaliland

Authorities in Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland arrested four French nationals who crossed into the territory from neighboring Djibouti, a government official said.

The four, among them women, were arrested on Thursday while driving in Bariisle village near the border and later handed back to Djibouti authorities.

"Four people with French citizenship crossed into our border from Djibouti late yesterday and they were arrested by the Somaliland security forces," regional governor Mohammed Muse told reporters.

"We don't know what their intentions were, but they were handed over to the Djibouti government."

Security official Saleban Mustafe said the four were "Muslims and among them were women, but we are not sure what their final destination was as they were travelling illegally."

Mustafe did not say how many women there were.

Unlike the rest of Somalia, Somaliland, which broke away in 1991, has enjoyed relative stability and repeatedly seeks for international recognition as a separate state.