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Taleban release French aid worker | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
The French foreign ministry has confirmed the Taleban has released one of its nationals in Afghanistan. | |
Earlier, the Taleban said one of five people seized three weeks ago - a woman - had been set free in the Kandahar province in the south of Afghanistan. | |
"Today at 1105 (0635 GMT) the French female hostage was released in Maiwand district of Kandahar province," Taleban 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. |
The five people - two French, three Afghan - went missing on 3 April. | |
"We have extended the deadline for the French man and three Afghan hostages for another week," Mr Ahmadi said. | "We have extended the deadline for the French man and three Afghan hostages for another week," Mr Ahmadi said. |
Call for withdrawal | |
"French authorities confirm that one of the hostages, who are members of the Terre d'Enfance association, has been released this morning in Afghanistan," the ministry said in a statement. | |
The five, employed by children's non-government organisation Terre d'Enfance (A World For Our Children), went missing in Nimroz province, in the south-west of Afghanistan. | |
The French woman was named as Celine and the French male hostage Eric by a Taleban spokesman, the Reuters news agency said. | 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. |