We got feedback last night, 17 March 2014, that Abyan tribal leaders finally met Al Qaeda, face-face, after having to wait for a prolonged period. The meeting was tense and rushed with not much opportunity for dialogue in the 15 minutes granted but sufficient to glean necessary information.
Al Qaeda still want the ransom money; they can't make exceptions for a South African otherwise they will have to make exceptions for the three other hostages of different nationalities they were holding. There was no mention if the ransom is negotiable nor any comment on Pierre's health.
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