Taliban claim abduction of Afghan senator

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KABUL, Jul 14(AFP): Taliban militants claimed

responsibility Monday for the abduction of an Afghan senator who was snatched at a gunpoint 70 kilometres (40 miles) from capital Kabul.

Abdul Wali, a member of the Upper House of the parliament from the province of Logar adjoining Kabul, was kidnapped Sunday as he was driving with his two guards and driver, police said.

"Taliban have abducted Dr. Abdul Wali and until now Taliban's leading council have not made any decision on his

fate," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told AFP.

The extremists, who were in government between 1996 and 2001, have killed several of the dozens of hostages over the past few years.