Taliban hint at releasing British couple

The Taliban has told the BBC it will endeavour to release two British nationals who have been arrested and held in Afghanistan "as soon as possible".

Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, were arrested on 1 February while returning to their home in the country's Bamiyan province.

An American national and an Afghan were also arrested alongside the couple, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior Affairs said.

In a statement, Taliban official Abdul Mateen Qani said: "A series of considerations is being taken into account, and after evaluation, we will endeavour to release them as soon as possible."

Earlier in London, their daughter urged the British government to do everything possible to secure their release. Speaking to Times Radio on Monday, Entwistle said her parents had initially kept in touch via text messages following their detention - assuring their four children that they were fine - before losing all contact three days later. (With additional input from Reuters)