A group of kidnappers who abducted a 19-member European tour group in Egypt moved with their captives from Sudan to Libya on Thursday.

The 11 Europeans and their eight Egyptian guides and drivers were kidnapped by gunmen in the far southeast corner of Egypt, near the Libyan and Sudanese borders.

General Ahmed Mokhtar is the Governor of Wadi Al-Gadid and Dakhla Oasis, where the kidnapped tourists were last seen.

"This is a safari trip and they have a rations of food and water which is about to run out in the next days. That is why I am hopeful about the coming hours for an end to this crisis."

According to a Sudanese official, their police force has been watching the group since it moved into Sudan soon after last Friday's abduction in Egypt but has not tried to capture them, fearing an assault would endanger the hostages.

He said the kidnappers took their captives 15 kilometers inside Libyan territory on Thursday and are still on the move.

The kidnappers, believed to be desert tribesmen, are demanding a ransom, reportedly of up to 15 million US dollars. Germany has been negotiating with them, but there has been no word on the progress of these contacts.