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Chechen rebels set seven-day
deadline for Russian withdrawal

Vinay Shukla in Moscow

Heavily armed Chechen rebels holding nearly 1,000 people hostage inside a Moscow theatre on Thursday set a seven-day deadline for Russia to end its military operations in Chechnya, failing which they threatened to blow up the building.

As efforts were on to negotiate with the rebels, believed to be numbering 40-50 and armed with automatic weapons, grenades, belts with explosives attached, mines and canisters full of gasoline, they demanded foreign mediators including western diplomats and representatives of the Red Cross be sent to talk to them, Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov said.

The mayor said the terrorists have summoned foreign diplomats and have promised to hand them over their respective citizens.

There are 62 foreign nationals among the hostages, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Boris Malakhov told 'Rossia' TV network. They include Dutch, Americans, Britons and Germans. No Indians are among them.

The rebels have already released 180 hostages, including 24 children and two pregnant women.

PTI

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Moscow Gunmen Release 180 Hostages, Kill One Cop

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