|
Rebels to free Chinese hostages
26/04/2007 17:38 - (SA)
Addis Ababa - Ethiopian rebels holding seven Chinese oil workers captured during an attack on a Chinese oil venture in Ethiopia said on Thursday they would release them "as soon as possible".
"They are very well. We are planning to release them to the International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC), we'll do that as soon possible when the proper arrangements are done," said Abderahmane Mahdi, a spokesperson for the Ogaden National Liberation Front.
"The situation is very complex because Ethiopia will take any advantage to kill them and to blame us," he said.
It is "a very delicate operation, because Ogaden is a battle zone," he added.
The Ogaden National Liberation Front separatist group claimed responsibility for Tuesday's dawn attack on a Chinese oil venture in Ogaden, where the ONLF is fighting for the independence of ethnic Somalis.
The Chinese embassy in Ethiopia expressed hope on Thursday for the release of the seven Chinese seized in the attack in which 74 people died, including nine Chinese.
"We're hoping that they'll be released soon. There are some good signs but I can't tell you more," said embassy spokesperson Sun Qing.
Ethiopia has sent an investigation team to the oil site in its remote eastern region.
Authorities in Somali region, which includes Ogaden, decreed two days of mourning starting on Thursday in memory of victims of the attack.
- SAPA
|
News
