March 11, 2007	Sunday	Safar 21, 1428

SPIN BOLDAK: The Taliban called on Saturday for the withdrawal of Italian troops from Afghanistan to pave the way for the release of an Italian reporter they are holding on charges of spying.

The Taliban said on Friday they would free Daniele Mastrogiacomo of the newspaper La Repubblica if he could prove he was not a spy.

Mullah Hayatullah Khan, a Taliban spokesman, said the Taliban changed their mind after Italian lower house of parliament voted in favour of keeping Italian troops in Afghanistan.

“This vote has put the life of the reporter in danger,” Khan told Reuters by satellite phone from an undisclosed location.

Khan said the demand for the withdrawal of Italian troops had come from Mullah Dadullah, a senior Taliban commander, whose fighters are believed to be holding Mastrogiacomo.—Reuters