An Italian aid body that has done crucial work in Afghanistan on Tuesday offered to help free kidnapped Italian reporter Daniele Mastrogiacomo from the Taliban.
"We're trying to lend a hand, if possible," said Gino Strada, the war doctor who has become famous through the work of his organisation Emergency.
"In situations like this it's best not to say too much, but we're optimistic," he said.
Strada noted that Emergency has gained credibility with the Afghans by treating over a million people in its three hospitals and 30 other facilities in the country.
But he stressed that, although Emergency might be able to contact Mastrogiacomo's captors, it could not open direct negotiations.
Last September Emergency was instrumental in the release of photo-journalist Gabriele Torsello after three weeks' captivity.
Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema has already said Italy is working through humanitarian channels to secure Mastrogiacomo's release.
"It isn't a fully fledged negotiation but there are contacts to create the conditions for the hostage's release," he said Monday.
"It's a very difficult situation and requires great discretion" D'Alema said, noting that NATO had launched its biggest offensive since the 2001 war that toppled the Taliban in the lawless southern region area where Mastrogiacomo went missing last Monday.
On Tuesday D'Alema met with police in Rome who have opened an investigation into the case.
"We agreed to co-ordinate efforts," D'Alema said.
A Rome prosecutor stressed after the meeting that the foreign ministry was leading the drive to free Mastrogiacomo with the help of Italy's intelligence services and other special units.
A Taliban spokesman said Tuesday that the 52-year-old Mastrogiacomo was alive and well.
He said conditions for the hostage's release - including an Italian pull-out from Afghanistan - remained the same.
