Sudan ambassador confirms negotiations with kidnappers

Dublin, Ireland: Sudan's ambassador to Britain and Ireland said on Thursday that his government has opened negotiations with Darfur rebels who are demanding ransom for the release of two kidnapped aid workers from Ireland and Uganda.

The aid workers from the Irish aid agency GOAL were abducted at gunpoint from their Darfur compound six days ago.

Thursday's comments from the Sudanese government offer the first confirmation that authorities are talking to the kidnappers.

Ambassador Omer Mohamed Ahmed Siddig, who is visiting Dublin, said the two kidnap victims have spoken to their governments through mobile phone.

He described the kidnappers as "a criminal gang demanding ransom."

He said Sudanese negotiators know their location and want to win their safe release without paying any money.