The last French hostage held by Islamists, Serge Lazarevic, returned home Wednesday after being held for three years by al Qaeda's North African branch. Lazarevic was released days after the release of two al Qaeda fighters from a prison in Mali. He thanked French President Francois Hollande "for having done everything to free me." The deal revived debate over negotiating with hostage takers. Hollande said France did not pay ransoms or exchange prisoners, but that other countries have, "to help us."
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