Taliban demands prisoner release for hostages

The Taliban today demanded France free prisoners in exchange for two French journalists kidnapped in Afghanistan in December.

It said they submitted a list of “most ordinary detainees” to the French and if they do not respond quickly the lives of two hostages would be in danger.

The pair disappeared along with two or three Afghan employees while travelling north-east of Kabul.

The French government in the past has said it is aware of the kidnappings and is co-operating with Nato forces to obtain their release but has stated little publicly about the abductions.

The French government has not identified the journalists beyond giving their first names as Stephane and Herve.