Indian hostage taken ill

NEW DELHI, JUNE 19: One of the 21 Indian peacekeepers being held hostage by rebels in Sierra Leone has fallen ill and has been allowed medical assistance even as efforts continue to secure the release of the group. The sick soldier, whose name was not revealed, was examined by a doctor, a spokesman of the external affairs ministry said.

quot;The medical officer has examined the soldier and there is no urgent need for his evacuation,quot; he said. He said while the general situation in Sierra Leone is quot;peaceful8217;, quot;there is no change in the status of the Indian army personnelquot;. UN secretary general Kofi Annan has spoken to leaders of West african countries to assist in ending the impasse. While there are 21 Indian army hostages in Pendembu, 213 Indian soldiers are in Kailahun where the stand-off with the rebels continue. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Nigerian president Olusegum Obasanjo have twice spoken to each other on telephone recently.

The Nigerian leader has assured that no effort would be spared to secure the safe release of the Indian peacekeepers.