A Spanish man kidnapped by an armed group in the turbulent Algeria-Mali border region was heading home on Wednesday as Madrid confirmed his liberation.

A Spanish man kidnapped by an armed group in the turbulent Algeria-Mali border area thanked the Algerian authorities on Wednesday after his rescue. Identified as Joaquin Navarro, the Spaniard had been on a trip last week when he was kidnapped "by an armed group made up of five people",

Navarro was abducted last week while traveling in the area, known for ongoing instability and militant activity. His safe return was confirmed on Tuesday when Algerian national television aired footage of his arrival at a military airport near Algiers.

General Lounes Magramane (center), Spain's Ambassador to Algeria Fernando Morán Calvo-Sotelo (left), and Spanish tourist Navarro Giane Gilbert