Eritrea denies kidnapped Europeans in its country

NAIROBI, Mar 9 (Reuters) Eritrea today denied that a group of five Europeans kidnapped in neighbouring Ethiopia had been taken to its country by Afar separatist rebels.

''We understand the concern of the families, but this event happened inside Ethiopia and it is taking place inside Ethiopia,'' Eritrean Information Minister Ali Abdu told Reuters by telephone from Asmara.

REUTERS DKA VC1640