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Egypt abduction talks 'ongoing' Egypt abduction talks 'ongoing'
(about 4 hours later)
Egypt says negotiations are still ongoing to secure the release of 19 people abducted in southern Egypt.Egypt says negotiations are still ongoing to secure the release of 19 people abducted in southern Egypt.
A cabinet spokesman said that an earlier announcement by the foreign minister that they had been freed and were safe and well was premature.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 group includes five Italians, five Germans and a Romanian, along with eight Egyptians.The group includes five Italians, five Germans and a Romanian, along with eight Egyptians.
They were seized near the Gilf al-Kebir plateau, close to the Libyan and Sudanese borders. The government says they were taken across the border into Sudan, and the hostage takers have demanded a ransom.
Egypt said the kidnappers were bandits who had demanded a ransom. The 19 were seized near the Gilf al-Kebir plateau, close to the Libyan and Sudanese borders.
Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit had announced the news of a release in New York. Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit originally reported their release ahead of a meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice 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. He said the hostages were "safe and sound".
"It was a group of gangsters." But the cabinet spokesman, Magdy Radi, later said: "It is premature to say they are released. The negotiations are still continuing."
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. Egyptian officials say contact has been made with the kidnappers in Sudan, and that they are seeking a ransom of up to $6m (£3.24m).
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 excursion.
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 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.