From the Calgary Herald:

The hunt for an Alberta journalist, an Australian photographer, their Somalian fixer and driver kidnapped at gunpoint in Somalia has reached a sensitive and "crucial" stage, says a spokesman for Reporters Without Borders.

Sylvan Lake native Amanda Lindhout, 27, and Australian Nigel Brennan, 35, were kidnapped last weekend about 20 kilometres west of Mogadishu as they were leaving a refugee camp in the Afgoye district.

Leonard Vincent, head of the Africa desk for Reporters Without Borders, told Canwest News Service that the search had entered a hopeful, but perilous phase.

"Things are moving positively," said Vincent. "It is a crucial moment and it would be very dangerous to disclose more than that."

Vincent said more information would likely emerge "in the coming days" and that his organization was in touch with diplomats involved with efforts to free the journalists.

"If everything continues like it is now, we can expect a positive outcome," he said.