Sat, 23:40 10 May 2008 GMT17

 

Austria says won't bow to Al Qaeda demands
14 Mar 2008 09:11:23 GMT
Source: Reuters
BRUSSELS, March 14 (Reuters) - Austrian Chancellor Alfred Gusenbauer appealed on Friday to Al Qaeda's North Africa wing to release two Austrian tourists abducted in Tunisia but said he had no intention of yielding to the hostage-takers' demands.

"Our priority is the health of the hostages. Hence we appeal to the kidnappers to free the hostages unconditionally," Gusenbauer told reporters on arrival for the final day of a European Union summit in Brussels, stressing Austria was a peaceful country that had good relations with all.

He said Austria was in touch with the authorities in the region but added: "We do not intend to meet the demands." Al Qaeda demanded on Thursday the release of militants held in Tunisia and Algeria within three days. (reporting by Paul Taylor, editing by Mark John)
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