<div><p>The Spanish government has viewed a video which proves that three aid workers held hostage in Mali since November by the north African branch of Al-Qaeda are alive, a Spanish newspaper reported Friday.</p><p>Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos declined to comment on the report in El Mundo, when asked by public television TVE.</p><p>El Mundo, quoting sources close to the issue, said the video gave "definitive proof" that the three are alive which Madrid was waiting for before it "formally engaged in contact with members of Al-Qaeda to secure their release."</p><p>All three hostages, who were kidnapped on November 29 in Mauritania and then taken to northern Mali, can be seen in the video, including Albert Vilalta who suffered a bullet wound in one of his legs when he tried to escape, it said. He appeared to be in good health.</p><p>The video was seen by a Spanish government official on Monday in Mali's capital Bamako. It was made by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and addressed to the Mali authorities.</p><p>Earlier this month El Mundo reported that the group had demanded seven million dollars and the release of several of its members in return for the Spanish hostages -- two men and a woman.</p><p>Madrid has not confirmed receiving a ransom request. Last week Moratinos said "the Spanish government does not pay ransoms. This position is clear and firm."</p><p>Among the prisoners who AQIM wants to see released in exchange for freeing the hostages is Tayeb Ould, also known as "Said Serhib", who allegedly headed a jihadist cell in northeastern Spain, El Mundo reported Friday.</p><p>Ould left Spain in 2005 and was arrested in Mauritania two years later.</p><p>AQIM on December 8 claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of the three Spanish aid workers. They were in the last vehicle of a convoy carrying supplies for west African associations when they were attacked.</p><p>The group said in a statement dated January 10 that it would execute a French hostage unless four of its militants are freed from jail in Mali in 20 days, two US groups which monitor Islamist websites said on Monday.</p><p>An Italian couple kidnapped on December 17 is also being held in Mali by the organisation.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=66963698&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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