By Xinhua
Kabul : Several South Korean diplomats and two Taliban delegates have carried out first face-to-face talks regarding the 21 South Korean hostages the rebels are holding in central Afghanistan, an official said.
The talks are being held at a Red Cross office in Ghazni city, the provincial capital, the official said on condition of anonymity.
A purported Taliban spokesman, Yousuf Ahmadi, confirmed that the talks took place Friday.
Earlier, Ahmadi said two Taliban delegates, Mullah Bashir and Mullah Nasratullah, would be sent to a government-controlled territory for the talks as Afghan authorities had given a written guarantee for their safety.
Taliban militants kidnapped 23 South Koreans in Ghazni province July 19.
The rebels killed two male hostages July 25 and July 30 to press Afghan and South Korean authorities to meet their demands.
The Afghan government has refused to accept Taliban’s demand for the release of its jailed militants in exchange for the hostages.