Arab media called to lobby for release of Italian abducted journalist

Italian daily "Il Manifesto," launched an appeal to all news agencies and media outlets in the Arab world to play a part in freeing Italian journalist Guiliana Sgrena, kidnapped February 4 in Baghdad.

Sgrena, was "a passionate expert and participant of Arab world events, its culture and tragedies," said the appeal, pointing out the Italian journalist was always "against preventive warÉ and against the idea that democracy can be exported with tanks and violence."

Il Manifesto urges all Arab journalists to "do everything possibleÉ to make those holding her hostage understand that Guiliana's kidnapping is most of all a crime against the Arab nation."

The appeal will also be video-broadcast by several TV channels.