Released hostages prepare to leave Afghanistan

Nineteen South Koreans freed by Taliban kidnappers prepared to fly home today as their government denied allegations it had paid a ransom to end the six-week hostage stand-off.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousef Ahmadi vowed to abduct more foreigners, reinforcing fears that South Korea’s decision to negotiate directly with the militants would embolden them at a time of surging violence in the country.