French hostage released by Taliban back in Paris

PARIS, May 12 (Reuters) A French aid worker freed by the Taliban returned home today and Paris pledged to seek the release of three Afghan colleagues still held by the rebel group.

The Taliban, who had threatened to kill Eric Damfreville of the children's aid group Terre d'Enfance, want France to withdraw its 1,100 troops from Afghanistan and release Taliban prisoners held by the Afghan government.

''Nicolas Sarkozy hopes for the rapid release of the remaining hostages. He will put everything in place to this end,'' a statement from France's president-elect said.

After 38 days in captivity, blindfolded and chained, Damfreville was released yesterday and landed today at a military airport outside Paris.

A gaunt-looking Damfreville arrived wrapped in a survival blanket, wearing an eye patch and a neck brace.

''My condition comes mainly from the roughness and toughness of my captivity in south Afghanistan which is a bit rustic,'' he said after landing. ''I have been well treated.'' Damfreville was kidnapped on April 3 together with his three Afghan aides and French co-worker Celine Cordelier, who was released on April 28.

The Taliban said they had released Damfreville in a gesture to Sarkozy, who said last month he envisaged no long-term presence for French troops in Afghanistan. However, he did not link those comments to the hostage situation.

Ousted from power in 2001, the Taliban are largely active in southern and eastern areas of Afghanistan and have kidnapped a number of foreign and Afghan aid workers and government officials in recent years.

A spokeswoman for the French foreign ministry declined to comment on media speculation the government had paid a hefty ransom for Damfreville's release.

French authorities would work to obtain the release of the three Afghan hostages, Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said as he greeted Damfreville at the airport.

Damfreville, who was taken to a military hospital for, treatment, will be questioned by the French secret service, as is usual for hostages held for a long period of time.

REUTERS SS HS2049