Berlin, March 19 (DPA) German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Afghan President Hamid Karzai vowed they would not allow their countries to be blackmailed by kidnappers or terrorists, following a meeting in Berlin Monday.

Merkel was responding to a question about a threat to kill a German woman and her son, who are being held in Iraq, if Germany does not start withdrawing its troops by Wednesday.

Referring to reports regarding the release of Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo who was kidnapped in southern Afghanistan two weeks ago, Karzai said he expected him to be freed during the course of Monday.