Crisis deepens: KGL pulls out of talks

NEW DELHI: After the talks failed early on Sunday morning, the Kuwaiti company which had seven drivers kidnapped in Iraq, KGL, has withdrawn from negotiations to secure their release.
Reports said the main cause of this development was Sheikh Dulaimi, the mediator who has been negotiating with The Holders of The Black Banner. But the company refused to comment on the reasons for their withdrawal.
"We have pulled out of the negotiations," Rana Abu-Zaineh said without offering any explaination.
Her company, Kuwait and Gulf Link Transport Co., has been negotiating with officials in Iraq and an Iraqi tribal chief to secure the release of three Indian, three Kenyan and an Egyptian driver kidnapped in the war-ravaged country on July 21.
The kidnappers, who call themselves the The Holders of The Black Banner, have repeatedly extended their deadlines for killing the seven hostages.
Relations between the company and an Iraqi negotiator, Sheik Hisham al-Duleimi, have been tense recently over his involvement in negotiations to secure the men''s releases.
Militants in Iraq have kidnapped more than 70 foreigners in recent months in an effort to push countries out of the US-led coalition that invaded the country and toppled its former leader, Saddam Hussein, more than a year ago.