Meanwhile in Afghanistan, an audiotape of the kidnapped Italian reporter Daniele Mastrogiacomo has been released. The recording is poor quality, but Mastrogiacomo can be heard pleading for his life.

Daniele Mastrogiacomo: “There are only two days. Please. Please. After that they will kill us. That’s what the Taliban want to do. There are only two days. Please. Please. Please.”

Daniele Mastrogiacomo is a veteran correspondent for the La Repubblica. He was seized last week. His captors are said to have backed a call for the withdrawal of Italian troops from Afghanistan.