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Taleban 'free' French aid worker Taleban 'free' French aid worker
(10 minutes later)
A French aid worker held hostage by the Taleban in Afghanistan for three weeks has been released, the Taleban said.A French aid worker held hostage by the Taleban in Afghanistan for three weeks has been released, the Taleban said.
The woman had been one of five people held by the Taleban and was released in the southern province of Kandahar.The woman had been one of five people held by the Taleban and was released in the southern province of Kandahar.
"Today at 1105(0635 GMT) the French female hostage was released in Maiwand district of Kandahar province," Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi told AFP. "Today at 1105 (0635 GMT) the French female hostage was released in Maiwand district of Kandahar province," Taleban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi told AFP.
Negotiations to free a French man and three Afghans captured with her would continue, the Taleban told the agency. "We have extended the deadline for the French man and three Afghan hostages for another week," Mr Ahmadi said.
Internet message Troop withdrawal demand
The French Embassy in Kabul told AFP there was no immediate confirmation of the woman's release.
The five, employed by French children's non-government organisation Terre d'Enfance (A World For Our Children), went missing in Nimroz province, in the south-west of Afghanistan, on 3 April.The five, employed by French children's non-government organisation Terre d'Enfance (A World For Our Children), went missing in Nimroz province, in the south-west of Afghanistan, on 3 April.
The French woman was named as Celine and the French male hostage Eric by a Taleban spokesman, the Reuters news agency said.
In an internet statement on 20 April, the Taleban called for French Nato troops to withdraw and for imprisoned rebels to be freed in exchange for the captives.In an internet statement on 20 April, the Taleban called for French Nato troops to withdraw and for imprisoned rebels to be freed in exchange for the captives.
"In case of refusal, action will be taken against them [hostages] promptly," a message on an Arabic-language website said."In case of refusal, action will be taken against them [hostages] promptly," a message on an Arabic-language website said.
The Taleban have carried out a number of kidnappings recently, demanding the release of some of their fighters from prison in return for freeing the hostages.The Taleban have carried out a number of kidnappings recently, demanding the release of some of their fighters from prison in return for freeing the hostages.
The US and UK criticised a recent deal made with the Taleban by Italy and Afghanistan to secure the release of a kidnapped Italian journalist.The US and UK criticised a recent deal made with the Taleban by Italy and Afghanistan to secure the release of a kidnapped Italian journalist.
They say the release of five militants in exchange for Daniele Mastrogiacomo, who was freed in March, endangered Nato troops and encouraged kidnappings.They say the release of five militants in exchange for Daniele Mastrogiacomo, who was freed in March, endangered Nato troops and encouraged kidnappings.