Pakistan deal to free diplomats

Pakistani authorities agreed to free two arrested tribesmen to secure the release of three European diplomats - including a Briton, Jack Dodds - allegedly kidnapped by an Afghan group, AFP reports from Quetta.

'We have conveyed this message to the abductors,' who are believed to be holding the three drug-liaison officers at the border township of Spin Buldak on the Afghan side, a government spokesman said.

The message was sent after the return of three separate teams that conducted negotiations with the Afghan group involved in the incident. The two tribesmen whose release had been demanded were arrested by the Pakistani militia on gun- and drug-running charges.