French army rescue kidnapped citizens from Somali pirates

Paris: Two French citizens taken hostage by pirates off the coast of Somalia early in September were rescued, the French president's office said on Tuesday.

"The two French nationals are safe and sound," said the statement from the Elysee.

President Nicolas Sarkozy ordered the French army to go in and rescue the hostages, the statement said.

One pirate was killed and six others captured in the rescue, the Elysee said.