Officials 'optimistic' about safe release of Afghan hostages

Afghan officials are optimistic that three UN hostages, including Northern ireland's Annetta Flanigan, will be freed unharmed, a government spokesman said.

A Taliban splinter group claims it abducted the trio – also including Filipino diplomat Angelito Nayan and Kosovan Shqipe Habibi - in the Afghan capital last week and is threatening to kill them unless the United Nations and British troops leave Afghanistan.