Ethiopia hostages "safe" in captivity - minister

MEKELE, Ethiopia, Mar 9 (Reuters) Ethiopia today said that five Europeans and eight locals kidnapped by an armed band were in a safe condition, but did not confirm reports they were being held in neighbouring Eritrea.

''Last evening, I heard that they are safe and secure. They are in good condition,'' Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin told reporters in north Ethiopia near the area in the remote Afar region where the group was abducted eight days ago.

Mesfin said he could not confirm reports by local officials and pastoralists that the group had been taken across the border to Eritrea, possibly by Afar separatist rebels.

''We do not even know who the kidnappers are,'' he said.

The minister, in the town Mekele for an unrelated meeting, said Ethiopia was using ''every channel'' to help secure the hostages' freedom, but declined to give further details.

''Our hearts go out to the kidnapped (people),'' he said.

The five foreigners include three Britons, an Anglo-Italian woman and a French woman. All were linked to the British Embassy in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopia was not worried about the impact on its tourism trade, Mesfin said. ''This can happen in the middle of London or Washington or New York.'' REUTERS DKA HS1739