KABUL, Nov 11: The United Nations on Thursday called on kidnappers holding three of its staff in Afghanistan to release them in time for Eid, as it raised security here to the highest level since the fall of the Taliban.

The appeal came the group holding the hostages, the Jaishul Muslimin, said a deal could be reached if fresh talks with government officials produced "results".

Militants have held Annetta Flanigan of Northern Ireland, Shqipe Hebibi of Kosovo and Filipino diplomat Angelito Nayan since late last month and want 26 comrades freed as part of a deal.

UN spokesman here Manoel de Almeida e Silva called for the hostages to be released go by Eid.

"Undoubtedly these are the longest 14 days in the life of Lito, Annetta, Shqipe, their families, their friends and their colleagues," he told newsmen.

"In the last two weeks we have heard messages from the Afghan people and their leaders, indicating their support to UN efforts in Afghanistan and stressing their wishes for the release of our colleagues before Eid, a time of happiness, compassion, forgiveness and friendship among people," he said.

"We hope that the spirit of peace and understanding shown by all during Eid will be extended to Annetta, Lito and Shqipe," he said.

He said Afghan officials were working hard to secure the release of the hostages, who were supervising last month's election in the country. He said he hoped the moves would be successful.

Representatives of the Jaishul Muslimeeen, which claims to be behind the Oct 28 abductions, have held several rounds of talks with officials at a secret location in southern Afghanistan since last weekend.

"We met government representatives just before Iftar," Habib Noorzad, a spokesman for the group, told AFP by phone on Wednesday.

"If the meetings produce results the hostages will be released," he said.

Talks between the government and the kidnappers continued on Thursday, according to sources.

The UN has stepped up security in the capital following the kidnappings, according to a written version of a report on the country given to the Security Council on Tuesday.

On Thursday, 20 Afghan women offered to swap places with the hostages, saying that kidnapping was contrary to Afghan culture.-AFP