Hostage crisis: KGL says talks are still on

The Kuwait & Gulf Link Transport Company (KGL), whose seven employees, including three Indians, have been kidnapped in Iraq, today said talks with the abductors, which began on Friday evening, were still progressing.

KGL’s spokesperson Rana Abu-Zaineh said: ‘‘KGL is very optimistic that the issue will be resolved soon. We can confirm that talks are still on at this moment between our negotiators and the representatives appointed by abductors.’’

India’s crisis management group (CMG) head E. Ahamed, who returned to Delhi this evening, told Express that he would discuss the latest developments with other CMG officers. A CMG meeting would be convened tomorrow to study information collected from Indian officials in Iraq and Kuwait. ‘‘I am in constant contact with Indian officials. KGL has favourably responded to the demands, and everything seems to be moving now in a positive direction,’’ Ahamed said.