MATTHEW LEE
AP Diplomatic Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Obama administration is offering rewards of up to $18 million for information on the whereabouts of four Islamist militants who operate in north and west Africa.

The State Department said Friday it had placed rewards of up to $5 million each for information leading to the location of Khalid al-Barnawi, Hamad el Khairy, and Ahmed el Tilemsi. All have ties to al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb and have targeted westerners in west Africa, including Nigeria, Niger and Mauritania.

The department also announced a reward of up to $3 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of Abu-Yusuf al-Muhajir, believed to in Egypt.

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