The Taliban has confirmed the arrest of two British nationals in their 70s in Afghanistan. It follows an appeal by the children of Peter and Barbie Reynolds for their release.

Peter and Barbie Reynolds were arrested on Feb. 1, their children told U.K. news outlets. The couple had run an education company in Afghanistan for almost two decades.

The arrest of a British couple in Afghanistan was over a "misunderstanding," the Taliban has said. Peter Reynolds, 79, and his wife Barbie, 75, were detained by the Taliban's interior ministry on 1 February. The reason for their arrests was immediately unknown.