French hostages are safe in Iraq
Iraq-France, Local, 10/2/2004

In the framework of developments concerning the situation of hostages held in Iraq, the French TV quoted unofficial mediator that seeks to liberate the two kidnapped French hostages in Iraq, saying that he had met the two French held journalists Christian Shino and George Malberno and negotiated with their kidnappers.

The French News Agency quoted the mediator as saying that its is probable to release the hostages within hours.

The French embassy in Amman had announced that the secretary general of the French foreign ministry Jan Pierre Lavon arrived yesterday in Amman in the framework of efforts exerted to release the two French journalists.

Simultaneously, the French parliamentarian Dedieh Julia arrived in Damascus on Thursday coming from Beirut for the same purpose.

A group calling itself the IslamicArmy In Iraq -- the leadership of the western region -- said that it holds 10 hostages. They are two Lebanese working in Jbeil company for electrical equipment, two women from Indonesia and 6 Iraqis.

Meantime, Dedieh Julia said that the two French journalists held in Iraq were released but their procession was exposed to an American bombardment while they were on their way to Damascus and as a result of that six persons of the guarding team escorting them were killed.

In a press conference in Damascus, Julia explained that the two hostages George Malberno and Christian Shino are safe and it was not possible to transport them to Syria because of the intensive American bombardment and the security barriers on the road. Julia is making a private initiative to liberate the two hostages. He arrived yesterday in Damascus coming from Beirut.

Previous Stories:
  Continued efforts to release the French hostages   (10/1/2004)
  Four Egyptian back home from Iraq after hostage   (9/30/2004)
  Gul warns against Israel's infiltration in Iraq   (9/30/2004)
  Controlling insurgency key to Iraqi progress, Powell says   (9/29/2004)
  News on releasing other Egyptian hostages; an eventful welcome for two released Italian hostages   (9/29/2004)
  Seale and the war on Iraq   (9/29/2004)

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