By Laura Smith-Spark CNN
(CNN) -- French hostage Serge Lazarevic has been freed after being held for more than three years in Mali by al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, French President Francois Hollande announced Tuesday.
Lazarevic was captured on November 24, 2011, in Hombori in central Mali and subsequently held in the Sahel.
His release means that there are no longer any French hostages held anywhere in the world, Hollande said in remarks broadcast by CNN's French affiliate BFMTV.
Lazarevic will travel to Niamey in Niger before heading on to France, Hollande said in a statement issued by his office.
"He is relatively healthy, despite the very harsh conditions of his long captivity. He will be quickly repatriated to France," the President said.
No details have yet been given of how Lazarevic's freedom was secured, but Hollande said discussions had been under way for months, with the involvement of authorities in Niger and Mali.
Hollande thanked them for their help and said he shared in the joy of Lazarevic's family at the news of his release.
He also saluted the memory of Lazarevic's fellow captive Philippe Verdon, who was abducted with him but slain by his captors several months ago.
CNN's Jim Bittermann, Laura Akhoun and Marion Lory in Paris contributed to this report.
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