Afghans say might use force if hostage talks fail

KABUL, July 28 (Reuters) Afghan mediators today were trying to hold another round of talks with Taliban rebels to seek the release of the remaining 22 Korean hostages and might use force should the talks fail, a senior official said.

''We believe in the talks and if dialogue fails then we will resort to other means,'' Munir Mangal, a deputy interior minister told Reuters. When asked if that meant use of force, he replied: ''Certainly''.

Mangal also leads a government team tasked to secure the release of the South Korean Christian hostages the Taliban kidnapped more than a week ago.

REUTERS SKB ND1245