Talks over hostages to be resumed: Taliban

The Taliban will hold a new round of face-to-face talks with South Korean officials on Thursday to discuss the 19 church volunteers still held by the group in Afghanistan, a spokesman said. Qari Yousef Ahmadi, who claims to speak for the Taliban, said the militants will demand the release of eight Taliban prisoners held by Afghan authorities before any of the remaining South Korean hostages can be freed 8212; a demand so far rejected by Afghan authorities.

Three South Korean delegates arrived on Thursday at the office of the Afghan Red Crescent, where previous negotiations with the Taliban have been held. International Red Cross officials were also at hand to facilitate the talks, said an official of International Committee of the Red Cross.