Taliban wants France to arrange detainee swap

[Robb]

Source: AP

PARIS — France's Foreign Ministry said Monday it was consulting with the families of two French TV journalists taken hostage in Afghanistan, after the Taliban demanded that France lean on Afghan and U.S. officials for a prisoner-hostage exchange.

In a statement e-mailed to news organizations, the Taliban said they submitted a list of "ordinary detainees" — meaning not senior figures — held in Afghan jails to France's government. The Taliban suggested the only route to freedom for the journalists would be through release of those prisoners.

"If those involved in this issue do not show swiftness and urgency, the life of the French will face danger," the English language statement said.

It said the French government should pressure the U.S. and the Afghan government of President Hamid Karzai to meet the demands. Detainees in Afghanistan are held either by the Afghan government or the Americans.

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