Afghan kidnappers demand comrades' release

Afghan militants who have threatened to kill three kidnapped UN workers have agreed to give the government until tomorrow to find and release 26 Taliban prisoners, a spokesman for the militants said yesterday.

The militants from a Taliban splinter faction held negotiations through intermediaries with UN and government officials and afterwards said they were willing to "soften" other demands if their 26 comrades were freed.

"We gave them a list of 26 people we want them to release," said Sayed Khalid Agha, one of several men claiming to speak for the Jaish-e Muslimeen (Army of Muslims) group.

"They sought two days to find where these 26 prisoners are and we agreed. We gave them Monday and Tuesday to find out about these prisoners and let us know whether they will be released.

"Then the second round of negotiations will start." Another spokesman, Mullah Sabir Momin, said the militants had "backed away from" some demands but did not elaborate.

Filipino Angelito Nayan, Annetta Flanigan from Northern Ireland and Kosovan Shqipe Hebibi were abducted in Kabul on October 28. They had been helping organise the elections held on October 9.

The kidnappers threatened to kill them unless their demands, which included the release of Taliban prisoners, the withdrawal of US troops and the suspension of UN operations in Afghanistan, were met, but several deadlines have since passed.

The United Nations and government have declined to comment on the talks, but Defence Ministry spokesman Zaher Azimi suggested that some progress had been made. "We are hopeful they will be released," he said late yesterday but did not elaborate.

Agha said Ms Hebibi was seriously unwell because of the cold and the others were also suffering from the cold and poor food.