"We are increasingly worried about Shqipe, 'Lito, and Annetta," UN spokesman Manoel de Almeida e Silva told reporters in the Afghan capital, as the latest of three deadlines for their threatened execution passed without word on their fate.
"It is seven days since they were taken, and given the extreme harsh conditions we have serious concerns for their health. We ask those holding them to release them immediately and unharmed," the spokesman said.
Jaishul Muslimeen (Army of Muslims), a newly-emerged Taliban faction, has demanded all foreign forces and UN agencies quit Afghanistan and the release of all Taliban prisoners from US custody.
The group's commander, Akbar Agha, said he had pushed back a midnight deadline to 10:00 am (0530 GMT) on Thursday after the Afghan government made contact through mediators and began real negotiations.
He had earlier accused Afghan authorities of trying to buy time.
The three hostages - Annetta Flanigan from Northern Ireland, Shqipe Habibi from Serbia's mainly Muslim province of Kosovo, and Angelito Nayan from the Philippines - were snatched at gunpoint from their vehicle in busy lunchtime traffic in Kabul.
They had been helping to oversee Afghanistan's first presidential elections.
© 2004 Agence France-Presse
To add a comment,
Please log in:
Don't have an account?
Register now to comment on stories and stay up to date on important events and issues in the Middle East with our newsletter.