March 19, 2007	Monday	Safar 29, 1428

ROME: Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo has been freed in Afghanistan after two weeks in captivity, Italian media reported on Sunday.The Italian news agency ANSA reported from Kabul that Taliban spokesman Yousuf Ahmadi gave the news by telephone that the veteran 52-year-old journalist for La Repubblica had been freed.

A La Repubblica employee said that the newspaper had “learned that the journalist has been freed,” but deputy editor Mauro Bene later said it did not have confirmation.

The Italian foreign ministry could not confirm the report, spokesman Pasquale Ferrara said: “We'll consider him free when he's safely in Italian hands.” Ahmadi said that Monday evening was the deadline for its demands to be met, including a date for the withdrawal of Italian troops and the release of two Taliban spokesmen being held by authorities.—AFP