British couple held by pirates to be released within weeks

Nairobi: A senior Somali official says a retired British couple snatched from their yacht by pirates more than four months ago will be released soon.

Deputy Parliamentary Speaker Mohamed Omar Dalha says Somali communities inside and outside the chaos-wracked country have been working to negotiate the "unconditional release" of Paul and Rachel Chandler.

Dalha said Friday he was hopeful they would be released within two weeks.

The pair was kidnapped in October by pirates who seized their 38-foot yacht as they sailed toward Tanzania.

The pirates have demanded $7 million to release the Chandlers. Britain's government refuses to pay ransoms to kidnappers.

The Chandlers are among about 130 sailors held hostage in Somalia.