Frateini calls on Damascus to mediate to release his citizens in Iraq

The Italian Foreign minister Franco Frateini said that Syria might be an "important channel to rescue the three Italian hostages who are still held in Iraq." He added in an interview published yesterday in La Stambia "my relations with Iran are known and Syria can also give important channels, but I can give no explanations " on this subject.

He said that Damascus can help "by giving its advice how to have access to the kidnappers or how to affect them." He continued "we have contacts with local groups and we are making an important contact with the Sunni scholars. we want to know who can help us reach the kidnappers and to know their motives."