Despite unproductive talks and failure to meet the kidnapers' demand for the last over two weeks, Afghan government is still hopeful to secure the safe release of three UN employees taken hostages in Kabul by a little known militia group, Presidential spokesman said Tuesday.

"All our efforts are going on to secure the safe release of the hostages and we are hopeful to have a positive outcome very soon," Jawed Luden told journalists here.

The trio, including two European ladies and a male Filipino diplomat, were abducted in daylight by supporters of former Taliban regime on October 28 in Kabul downtown.

Belonging to a radical Islamic group Jaishul-e-Muslimeen or Army of Muslims, the abductors have linked the release of the hostages to the release of 26 Taliban leaders from the US prisons in Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay.

Afghan government, according to unofficial reports has agreed to offer 1.5 million dollar ransom to secure the safety return of the abductees while the US deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage rejected any negotiations with the abductors during a visit last week here.

Blaming Armitage for the failure of the talks, the kidnapers onSunday again extended the deadline to Tuesday evening which will decide the fate of the three international workers.

They warned to execute the captives if the government failed todeliver any significant deal.

"This is the responsibility of Afghan government as well as Afghan people to spare no efforts in securing the safe release of their three guests, and we do what we can in this direction," Luden noted while avoiding to disclose details.

"Unfortunately I cannot give specific details in this case," he added.

Source: Xinhua