The United Nations has once again urged the kidnappers of one of its officials to make direct contact and called for his immediate release.
American citizen John Solecki, the head of the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) in Quetta, Pakistan, was abducted two weeks ago, on February 2, in southwestern Baluchistan province.
A previously unknown group, the Baluchistan Liberation United Front, is threatening to kill Solecki if Pakistan's government does not release Baluch prisoners. On Monday, the group extended a 72-hour deadline it had given for its demands to be met.
In a statement, the United Nations appealed for his immediate and safe release and asked for the kidnappers to initiate contact with U.N. officials.
Last week, a local news agency in Pakistan broadcast what appeared to be a video of Solecki pleading for his release.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP.
