Confusion reigned Saturday over the fate of a French hostage in Somalia, who was killed during a failed rescue bid according to the French government but whom his captors said was alive.
The French Defence Ministry said Denis Allex, a secret agent, who was kidnapped by the Islamist al-Shabaab group in July 2009, was killed by his captors during the raid by French commandos.
The ministry said two French troops and 17 "terrorists" were also killed in the clashes at a house in Bulomarer, some 110 kilometres south of the capital Mogadishu.
But al-Shabaab, which said it had captured a French soldier in the operation, claimed Allex was still alive.
"The injured French soldier is now in the custody of the Mujahideen and Allex still remains safe and far from the location of the battle," al-Shabaab said in a statement, adding that, the fighting lasted about 45 minutes.
The rebel group said it would "give its final verdict regarding the fate of Denis Allex within two days."
Allex is one of nine French hostages being held by Islamist radicals in Africa. Most of the hostages are being held by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, which operates out of northern Mali.
French media reported that helicopters were used in the raid.