(AKI) - Internal conflict within the militant organisation, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, has reportedly slowed negotiations with Austrian authorities for the release of two hostages kidnapped in February.Andrea Kloiber, 43, and Wolfgang Ebner, 51, went missing while on holiday in Tunisia and the Algerian-based Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb then claimed to have kidnapped them. According to a report in the Algerian daily, Ech-Chourouk, negotiations are continuing between the militants and Vienna for the release of the couple believed to be held in the Sahara region, near the border of Algeria, Mali and Nigeria.
The terrorists are reported to have softened their stance in seeking a ransom in exchange for their release and Austria has reportedly accepted in principle the payment of a ransom in the order of five million euros. However, negotiations have stalled because of confusion generated by the leader of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb in the Algerian mountains, Abdel Malik Droukedel, who is apparently seeking a political victory.
Yahya Jawadi, also called Abu Omar, is the leader of the Tareq Bin Ziyad Brigade which also operates in the Algerian Sahara, is unlikely to agree to the deal.
Since the kidnapping, this group has been forced to cease its terrorist activities in the area due to lack of funds and is seeking a ransom in order to relaunch their role in the region. Earlier this year, Libya had agreed to act as an intermediary to help finalise the deal, using its influence with a local Tuareg tribe known as El Barabich, security officials told the media.