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Taleban 'release two S Koreans' Confusion over Taleban releases
(about 16 hours later)
Taleban militants in Afghanistan say they have freed two women from among the 21 South Korean hostages they have been holding for more than three weeks. Hopes that the Taleban in Afghanistan might release two South Korean hostages have been thrown into disarray.
A Taleban spokesman, Yousuf Ahmad, told the BBC the women were sick and had been released as a "sign of goodwill". A Taleban spokesman told reporters on Saturday that the two had already been freed - but he now says the timing of the release has yet to be decided.
No Afghan or South Korean officials have been able to confirm the release. The women - both of whom are ill - are among 21 South Korean aid workers kidnapped last month.
Mr Ahmadi has at times given false information, reports the BBC's Charles Haviland in Kabul. The Taleban have already killed two of the Koreans. South Korean officials have held direct talks with the Taleban, who want their militants released from Afghan jails.
Taleban negotiators, who have been holding talks with a South Korean delegation in the city of Ghazni, had said earlier that a deal could be near. Taleban spokesman Yusuf Ahmadi on Sunday said the two ill hostages would be freed because of progress made during two days of talks in the central city of Ghazni.
The South Korean Christian aid workers were seized last month. However he added: "The time hasn't been decided. It could be today."
Another Taleban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahed, told AFP news agency the move would "show that we're honest in our talks and expect the government to be honest and free our prisoners". Mr Ahmadi has at times given false information, reports the BBC's Charles Haviland in Kabul.
Swap ruled out The Taleban have already killed two of the Koreans, including the leader of the group.
The announcement came after a second day of talks in the central city of Ghazni. The South Korean Christian aid workers were seized on 19 July.
The rebels are demanding the release of comrades held by the Afghan government. But the Afghan government, stung by criticism over a previous prisoner exchange, has ruled out a swap to secure the release of the Koreans. The original group of 23 - most of them women - was captured on the main road from Kabul to Kandahar.
The original group of 23 - most of them women - was seized on 19 July as they travelled by bus on the main road from Kabul to Kandahar.
The two men who were killed included the leader of the group.
It is thought the South Korean aid workers are being held in a number of small groups in a village about 10km (six miles) from Ghazni.It is thought the South Korean aid workers are being held in a number of small groups in a village about 10km (six miles) from Ghazni.
The Afghan government, stung by criticism over a previous prisoner exchange, has ruled out a swap to secure the release of the Koreans.