The National Committee for Redressment of Democracy and Restoration of the State (CNRDRE, Malian junta) on Thursday freed nine ministers who had been in detention since the March 22 military coup in the country, a source close to CNRDRE has said.

According to CNRDRE president captain Amadou Haya Sanogo, "these personalities were arrested for their own security."

The nine ministers are Sidiki N'Fa Konate who was the communication minister and government spokesman, the territorial administration minister general Kafougouna Kone, Abdoul Wahab Berthe of public works, Hamane Niang of culture and Harouna Cisse of social development.

Others were the labor minister Modibo Kadjoke, economy and finance minister Lassine Bouare, foreign minister Soumeylou Boubeye Maiga and the tourism minister Mohamed El Moctar.

Besides the nine ministers, the mayor of Bamako district Adama Sangare was also freed.

This wave of liberation came just hours after the swearing in of Mali's interim president Dioncounda Traore.

"I am so excited about the release of the mayor of Bamako district together with other political detainees. That shows that things are getting better," a close confidant of the said mayor and an official of the ADEMA party youths, said.

Earlier on, ex-prime minister Modibo Sidibe and the president of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council Jeamille Bittar had been set free.