KABUL, 16 November 2004 — Militants holding three UN workers hostage in Afghanistan extended a deadline yesterday for their demands to be met, blaming the US for disrupting negotiations aimed at securing the captives’ release. Jaish-e-Muslimeen (Army of Muslims), who have threatened to kill the hostages from Northern Ireland, Kosovo and the Philippines said the Afghan government had until sunset today to meet its demands.
“Now we are waiting for the final deadline at sunset tomorrow. We must be contacted by tomorrow sunset otherwise our tribal council will take a final decision on the fate of the hostages,” Sayed Khaled, who claims to speak for the group, told AFP by telephone.
