Fate of Korean Hostages Unclear as Deadline Expires

Source: Reuters

Fate of Korean hostages unclear as deadline expires
By Yousuf Azimy

GHAZNI, Afghanistan (Reuters) - The fate of the remaining 22 South Korean hostages held by the Taliban in Afghanistan was not known after the expiry of a Friday noon (3:30 a.m. EDT) deadline by the group.

Authorities in Ghazni, where the Christian hostages are believed to be held, refused to speak to the media. But one provincial official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Taliban had extended the deadline to allow face-to-face talks with the government. The Taliban could not be reached for comment about the fate of the captives and about the reported extension.

Accusing the government of "killing time and playing tricks," a Taliban spokesman had said earlier they would kill the captives if rebel prisoners were not released by the Afghan government by Friday noon.

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"The administration of Kabul has asked us to give them till 12 noon today," spokesman Qari Mohammad Yousuf told Reuters by telephone from an undisclosed location.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070727/wl_nm/afghan_hostages_dc

Source: Reuters


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSISL4204720070727