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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| French aid worker thanks Taleban | French aid worker thanks Taleban |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| A French aid worker released by the Taleban in Afghanistan has thanked her captors for granting her freedom. | A French aid worker released by the Taleban in Afghanistan has thanked her captors for granting her freedom. |
| The woman, known only as "Celine", also made an appeal for the release of four other hostages, at an emotional news conference in Kabul. | |
| She was kidnapped more than three weeks ago along with another French citizen and three Afghan colleagues. | She was kidnapped more than three weeks ago along with another French citizen and three Afghan colleagues. |
| Earlier a Taleban spokesman said they had extended the deadline for the four captives by another week. | Earlier a Taleban spokesman said they had extended the deadline for the four captives by another week. |
| In a tearful statement made just hours after her release, Celine told reporters: "I want to thank those who helped me in France and in Afghanistan." | In a tearful statement made just hours after her release, Celine told reporters: "I want to thank those who helped me in France and in Afghanistan." |
| "I thank the Taliban for keeping their promise and delivering me." | "I thank the Taliban for keeping their promise and delivering me." |
| In her appeal for the release of the other hostages she said: "Eric is like me - in Afghanistan as a friend". | In her appeal for the release of the other hostages she said: "Eric is like me - in Afghanistan as a friend". |
| "Hashim, Rasul and Azrat are Afghans. They are Muslims. They have children waiting for them." | "Hashim, Rasul and Azrat are Afghans. They are Muslims. They have children waiting for them." |
| Earlier, Taleban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi announced that Celine had been released in Maiwand district of Kandahar province. | Earlier, Taleban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi announced that Celine had been released in Maiwand district of Kandahar province. |
| "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 | Call for withdrawal |
| The five, employed by children's non-governmental 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 children's non-governmental organisation Terre d'Enfance (A World For Our Children), went missing in Nimroz province, in the south-west of Afghanistan on 3 April. |
| 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. |