UPDATE
the BBC now confirms the news :-
The French army has freed two sailors seized by pirates off the Somali coast, the French presidency says.
One pirate was killed in the operation and another six captured, it says.
The two were seized in a sailing boat in the Gulf of Aden earlier this month by pirates who reportedly demanded a ransom of some $1.4m.
A French government statement said that President Nicolas Sarkozy had given the go-ahead for the operation late on Monday.
"The two French nationals are safe and sound," the statement said.
Warships from France and other nations have been patrolling the Somali coast to protect ships carrying aid to the country, where up to a third of the population needs food aid.
France has a military base in neighbouring Djibouti.
Great News ! Vive La France !!! More of the same please !!