PM declines comment on Dr Ken Elliott

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has thanked the governments of Niger and Burkina Faso for their efforts in securing the release of Jocelyn Elliott.

Mr Turnbull said Foreign Minister Julie Bishop had spoken to Mrs Elliott a short time ago after she was released overnight.

Mrs Elliott was kidnapped along with her husband by a group affiliated to al-Qaeda in Burkina Faso last month but Mr Turnbull declined to comment on the future of Dr Ken Elliott.

"I would rather not comment on that, because again we're dealing with a difficult diplomatic situation and the Burkina Faso government is working very well on it and we'll continue to stay in touch with them," Mr Turnbull told ABC television on Sunday.