Americans told to flee

The US advised its nationals yesterday to leave Tajikistan as Tajik officials said its forces had surrounded villages where an abducted French couple were believed to be held.

The US embassy in Dushanbe said the government was not able to provide Western nations with the necessary protection. Government forces are searching for Franck Dubry, who worked for a European Union technical assistance programme, and his wife Kareen Mane, who worked for an aid organisation funded by the UNHCR refugee agency.

- Reuters, Dushanbe