Taliban release three Korean hostages to tribal chief

GHAZNI: The Taliban handed over three of their 19 South Korean hostages on Wednesday to an Afghan tribal elder who was taking them to Red Cross officials, the elder and the Taliban said.   

"We have been handed three female hostages," said Haji Mohammad Zahir, who was involved in negotiations to free the captives. "They are with us. They are in good health."   

The hostages were being driven towards the town of Ghazni and would be handed over to officials with the International Committee of the Red Cross, he added.