ZAMBOANGA CITY: The Abu Sayyaf rebel group said Wednesday it is open to negotiating with Philippine Foreign Minister Alberto Del Rosario for the release of two German hostages.

Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Rami said in an interview with a local radio station that they are willing to allow Del Rosario to serve as mediator to meet their demands, Xinhua news agency reported.

"We would like to talk to the Foreign Affairs chief because his agency is not corrupt. We would reiterate to him our demands," Rami said.

Rami said they would not impose a deadline if talks would focus on meeting the group's demands for the hostages' release a ransom of 250 million pesos (US$5.6 million) and a halt to the government's campaign against Islamic State militants.

The group had threatened to kill the hostages if their demands were not met by Oct 17.