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Tourists abducted in Egypt 'free' Egypt abduction talks 'ongoing'
(about 1 hour later)
Eleven European tourists and eight Egyptians kidnapped in southern Egypt have been released and are safe, the country's foreign minister says. Egypt says negotiations are still ongoing to secure the release of 19 people abducted in southern Egypt.
The five Italians, five Germans and a Romanian had been abducted along with eight Egyptian travel guides and drivers last Friday. A cabinet spokesman said that an earlier announcement by the foreign minister that they had been freed and were safe and well was premature.
The abduction took place near the Gilf al-Kebir plateau, close to the Libyan and Sudanese borders. The group includes five Italians, five Germans and a Romanian, along with eight Egyptians.
Egypt had said the kidnappers were bandits who had demanded a ransom. They were seized near the Gilf al-Kebir plateau, close to the Libyan and Sudanese borders.
Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit announced the news of the release in New York. Egypt said the kidnappers were bandits who had demanded a ransom.
Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit had announced the news of a release in New York.
Mr Abul Gheit said ahead of a meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice: "They have been released, all of them, safe and sound.Mr Abul Gheit said ahead of a meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice: "They have been released, all of them, safe and sound.
"It was a group of gangsters.""It was a group of gangsters."
He gave few details of the release other than it was in the Libyan-Sudanese-Egyptian border area, and did not say whether a ransom had been paid. But the cabinet spokesman, Magdy Radi, said: "It is premature to say they are released. The negotiations are still continuing."
Tour owner's callTour owner's call
Earlier, Egypt had said bandits had demanded a ransom of up to $6m (£3.24m) and it was feared the group had been taken to Sudan.Earlier, Egypt had said bandits had demanded a ransom of up to $6m (£3.24m) and it was feared the group had been taken to Sudan.
Kidnappings of foreigners in Egypt have been very uncommon in recent years.Kidnappings of foreigners in Egypt have been very uncommon in recent years.
The tourism ministry said those abducted along with the foreigners were two guides, four drivers, a guard and the owner of the travel company who had organised the trip to Gilf al-Kebir.The tourism ministry said those abducted along with the foreigners were two guides, four drivers, a guard and the owner of the travel company who had organised the trip to Gilf al-Kebir.
Gilf al-Kebir is a giant plateau famous for its prehistoric cave paintings, which featured in the 1996 film The English Patient.Gilf al-Kebir is a giant plateau famous for its prehistoric cave paintings, which featured in the 1996 film The English Patient.
The Egyptian Mena news agency reported that the tour company owner had called his wife on a satellite phone to say the group had been kidnapped by five masked men speaking English "with an African accent". The Mena news agency reported that the tour company owner had called his wife on a satellite phone to say the group had been kidnapped by five masked men speaking English "with an African accent".
The BBC's Ian Pannell in Cairo says local guides have indicated that the Gilf al-Kebir area has become increasingly unsafe this year.The BBC's Ian Pannell in Cairo says local guides have indicated that the Gilf al-Kebir area has become increasingly unsafe this year.
Another group of foreigners was held at gunpoint in February and three of their vehicles were taken.Another group of foreigners was held at gunpoint in February and three of their vehicles were taken.
An investigation at the time pointed the blame at smugglers and bandits.An investigation at the time pointed the blame at smugglers and bandits.
Our correspondent says there has been criticism that the Egyptian military has not done enough to patrol the area despite the increased threat.Our correspondent says there has been criticism that the Egyptian military has not done enough to patrol the area despite the increased threat.