Occupation forces release 10 Jordanians held in Iraq

The Jordanian foreign minister, Marwan Mausher, said yesterday that ten Jordanians detained by the American occupation forces in Iraq will return on Thursday to Amman after they were released from Um Qaser camp, in southern Iraq.

In statements quoted by the Jordanian news agency ( Petra ), he explained that the released ten -- who will be transported by a plane for the International Committee of the Red Cross coming from al-Basra -- constitute the third shift of Jordanians who were released by the American forces.

Muasher stressed that his ministry will continue efforts to release all Jordanians held in Um Qaser camp and in other Iraqi jails. This will be in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross, and direct contact with governments of countries concerned in the coalition forces.

By releasing the ten prisoners on Thursday, the total number of released Jordanian from Um Qaser tolled 35 and only two Jordanians are left held in Iraq.

The occupation forces released in December five Jordanians and other 20 arrived in Jordan on December 18, 2003.