French agent kidnapped in Somalia escapes

Farhan Asanyo, a Somali military officer, told The Associated Press that the man came up to government soldiers early Wednesday

then split up between the rebel groups al-Shabab and its ally Hizbul-Islam.

Foreigners rarely travel to Somalia, which is among the most dangerous countries in the world. The country has not had a functioning government for 18 years since clan warlords overthrew a brutal dictator then unleashed their militias on each other.

Kidnappings for ransom have been on the rise in recent years, with journalists and aid workers often targeted. Two foreign journalists — Canadian Amanda Lindhout and Australian Nigel Brennan — have been held for a year.