Mali ahead of presidential election

Four elections employees and an elected official have been kidnapped by unidentified gunmen in Mali, a week before the presidential election. Officials say the incident took place in the northern Kidal province as they were preparing to distribute ID cards. Authorities believe that rebels in the region are responsible for the kidnapping. Abductions are common in the conflict-torn country following last year's coup and a French-led operation against Kidal-based ethnic Tuareg rebels. Mali is due to hold presidential elections on July 28.