Abstract: A gas stream containing CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 S is contacted with an alkanolamine in a contacting zone. The rich solution is then selectively stripped in a stripping zone to produce a gas stream containing a higher CO.sub.2 :H.sub.2 S mole ratio than the initial stream. This stream can be recycled to the alkanolamine contacting zone. The partially stripped solution can be introduced into another stripping zone to provide a third gas stream which is rich in H.sub.2 S and lean in CO.sub.2 suitable as feed for a Claus Unit and a lean alkanolamine solution which can be recycled to the contacting zone.