BAGHDAD, Aug 1 (AFP) - A self-styled Iraqi tribal mediator and diplomatic sources in Baghdad said they could not confirm reports that seven foreign truckers being held hostage by Islamic militants had been released.
"I know nothing about it. This is all news to me," go-between Sheikh Hisham al-Dulaimi told AFP.
The hostages, three Indians, three Kenyans and an Egyptian, all working for a Kuwaiti haulage firm, were snatched on July 21 by the previously unknown Islamic Secret Army - Holders of the Black Banners group.
"So far there have been no positive results. The Kuwaiti company is not responding to us. They have agreed to pull out of Iraq but they are still arguing about the compensation," Dulaimi said, referring to the kidnappers' demands.
Diplomatic sources also said talks were still underway.
"It's absolutely not true. They're still being held hostage. I can't say anything else at this point, but I can confirm definitely that they have not been released," one of them said on condition of anonymity.
"We are unaware of the release of the hostages and negotiations are still on as far as we know," said another diplomat.
In Nairobi, Kenyan Foreign Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere said the seven hostages had been released.
"We have received information that all the hostages, including the three Kenyans, three Indians and an Egyptian, were released between 30 minutes and an hour ago," Mwakwere told AFP by telephone.
And the Kuwaiti employers of the hostages said their families should expect to "see them very soon".
"The message for the families who are waiting for their loved ones is that 'they will see them very soon,'" Rana Abu Zaineh, spokeswoman for Kuwait and Gulf Link Co (KGL), told the Indian news channel Aaj Tak.
"Negotiations are going on the right track. We are in the final stages now," she told the news channel.
Earlier, New Delhi said the abductors had extended their deadline to start killing the captives by another 24 hours.
The Indian government did not specify the new deadline, but a junior minister told reporters: "I think it is 8:30 pm (1500 GMT Sunday)."