Four people kidnapped Monday from the Novotel hotel in Ivory Coast's main city Abidjan by armed men have been identified as two French citizens, a Beninese and a Malaysian, a diplomatic source said.

"Four people were kidnapped. They are two French, a Beninese and a Malaysian," the source told AFP, citing witnesses to the kidnapping.

"Between six and seven armed elements intruded into the Novotel" which is in a Gbagbo-controlled area, he added.

Among those seized are the hotel director and chairman of the board of Ivorian agro-industrial group Sifca, Yves Lambelin.

- AFP