Taliban want French pullout, swap to save hostages

Dubai, Apr 21: Taliban guerrillas today gave France one week to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan and demanded the release of fighters held by the government to save two kidnapped French aid workers, according to a Web statement.

''The stand of the mujahideen ... is as follows: 1) that France withdraw all its troops from Afghanistan's territories within one week; 2) the administration in Kabul must show a quick reaction on the swap of hostages,'' said an Internet statement from Taliban's leadership council.

''In case of refusal, action will be taken against them (hostages) promptly,'' the council said.

France said it was aware of the ultimatum by Taliban and was currently studying the Internet claim.

''We have taken note of the indications which figure on the Taliban website,'' Foreign Ministry spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei said in a statement.

''We are analysing them. We will make no further comment,'' he said of the Taliban ultimatum.

The authenticity of the Taliban statement could not be verified. But it was posted on Web sites often used by Taliban, al Qaeda and other insurgent groups in countries including Iraq, Algeria and Somalia.

The Afghan government on Sunday again ruled out any hostage swap to free the two French aid workers held since they were captured two weeks ago by the rebels, who have threatened to behead them and send their heads to Paris.

Last Saturday, the insurgents released a brief black-and-white video of the two French aid workers -- a woman who calls herself only Celine and a man who calls himself Eric -- pleading for help from the French government.

Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo, who was kidnapped last month, was freed after two weeks when Kabul released five senior Taliban prisoners. His Afghan driver and translator were beheaded.

The Mastrogiacomo deal drew criticism in Afghanistan and Italy for encouraging the Taliban to take more hostages. They are also holding five Afghan health workers and have threatened to kill one soon unless the government starts peace talks.

Reuters