Hostage negotiations “complicated”

A statement said “numerous rumours, often unfounded, were circulating in Mogadishu about the hostage-taking” of Francoise Deutsch (46) and Jonathan Ward (31). The organisation said it had decided to limit public information to avoid making “already complex negotiations more difficult”, and to assure its workers’ safety. The agency remained extremely active in its efforts to secure the rapid release of its staff members, without preconditions, the statement said. The two aid workers were seized from their compound early on Wednesday 26 July by armed militia in southern Mogadishu. Monetary demands have not been made public. Faction leaders in the area have distanced themselves from the kidnapping, and there have been public demonstrations against the gunmen involved.