Austria seeks Libyan help to free kidnapped tourists

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

VIENNA (AFP) — Austria sought international help Monday to free two nationals seized three weeks ago in Tunisia after the kidnappers, a group linked to Al-Qaeda, extended their deadline for a proposed prisoner swap.

The Austrian daily Kurier reported that the abductors from the Al-Qaeda Organisation in the Islamic Maghreb were now demanding a ransom of five million euros (7.9 million dollars).

An Internet statement posted late Monday in the name of Al-Qaeda said the group had extended its ultimatum for the release of prisoners in exchange for two tourists until next weekend.

But it warned that "any attempt to free the hostages by force will result in failure" and trigger the "immediate execution of the hostages."

The authenticity of the Internet...