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KABUL: Taliban guerrillas yesterday gave France a week to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan and demanded the release of fighters held by the government to save two kidnapped French aid workers, according to a web statement.
France said it was aware of the ultimatum by Taliban and was currently studying the internet claim. The authenticity of the Taliban statement could not be verified. But it was posted on sites often used by Taliban, al Qaeda and other insurgent groups in countries including Iraq, Algeria and Somalia.
The Afghan government has ruled out any hostage swap to free the two French aid workers held since they were captured two weeks ago by the rebels, who have threatened to behead them and send their heads to Paris.
