Negotiations in Afghanistan: Taliban Wants Prisoners Freed for Same Number of South Korean Christian Hostages Let Go, as Deadline Passes
German hostage sick and losing consciousness, as government troops surround area where captors and hostages are thought to be holed up.
(Kandahar, Afghanistan)—According to an AFP, update, a delegation from South Korea arrived in the Ghazni province of Afghanistan, Tuesday, and has been involved in talks with the Taliban, in hopes of securing the safe release of 23 Christian missionaries who are being held hostage by the terrorist organization.
A deadline of 1430 GMT Tuesday—set by the Taliban—had passed as negotiations, said to be in a "sensitive phase," continued. (Photo: Protests over the hostages—REUTERS)
Abdullah, a commander for the rebel militant group, claiming to be holding the hostages, said, "We have handed the Afghan government delegation a list of eight Taliban prisoners to be freed, for whom we will free eight hostages. Once these men are freed we will send the names of other Taliban and will release the same number of hostages."
One of those being held—a German who was taken separately from the South Koreans—was said to be sick (possibly diabetic), and drifting in and out of consciousness.
To read the full report, click on the link provided.
