The Taliban today said an unspecified number of Americans had been arrested in Afghanistan.
"There have been arrests," Taliban Ambassador to Pakistan Abdul Salam Zaeef told a news conference here when asked if any Americans had been arrested in Afghanistan.
"I don't know how many there are or where they are or what their condition is," he said. Zaeef gave no details on whether the Americans were military personnel, aid workers or journalists.
The Islamic militia is currently holding a number of foreigners, including three journalists, a Japanese national and eight aid workers who are accused of promoting Christianity. The aid workers include two Americans but Zaeef did not appear to be referring to them.
Zaeef said he thought one or two Americans were arrested with Abdul Haq, the veteran anti-Soviet guerrilla executed by the Taliban on Friday after being captured inside Afghanistan. He could not confirm this however.
US officials have said that Abdul Haq was working closely with them when he was captured.
AFP