| Kidnappers of three UN workers in Afghanistan said on Thursday they expect the government to release 26 Taliban prisoners in exchange for their hostages before Eid this weekend. The kidnappers from a Taliban splinter faction have threatened to kill Annetta Flanigan from Northern Ireland, Shqipe Hebibi from Kosovo and Filipino diplomat Angelito Nayan unless the prisoners, some of whom may be in US custody, were freed. "Intermediaries assured us that our prisoners will be released and other demands will also be met before Eid," said Mulla Ishaq Manzoor, one of several men claiming to speak for the Jaish-e Muslimeen (Army of Muslims) militants. Manzoor did not detail the other demands. The government has declined to comment on efforts to release the three. The UN spokesman in Kabul, Manoel de Almeida y Silva, called for the release of the hostages before Eid. "Eid is a time of happiness, compassion, forgiveness and friendship among people," he said. |