Four people held in a hotel in central Mali after an attack by terrorist extremists were freed Saturday following a long standoff with the army and special forces that left 12 people dead, AP cited Mali's defense ministry adviser as saying. After the operation ended four additional bodies were found in the Hotel Byblos in the town Sevare, including three hotel staff and one terrorist, said Lt. Col. Diarran Kone. Officials had earlier announced that five Malian soldiers were killed, two terrorists and a U.N. contractor, bringing the total death toll to 12. "The operation ended around 5 a.m. Four hostages were freed and four bodies found," he said. "The operation was led by Mali's gendarmerie with our partners."
