Romanian hostages in Iraq weigh on troop withdrawal

The Romanian presidency asked the kidnappers of the three Romanian journalists in Iraq to extend the period they set to carry out their threats to execute them in case it does not withdraw its forces from Iraq. This period expired on Wednesday evening.

The Romanian prime minister Calin Taritshano called on his citizens to trust the authorities, noting that his government takes the question of the hostages with a "sense of responsibility," stressing that the messages broadcast by al-Jazeera TV about the hostages do not increase pressure on the authorities.

Meantime, the families of the detained hostages demanded the withdrawal of their country's forces from Iraq. This was in conclusion of the meeting with the advisor of the Romanian president.

To this effect, a group calling itself the group of Maaz Bin Jabal said in a video tape broadcast by al-Jazeera TV that it will execute the threats to kill the Romanian journalists and an American hostage on Wednesday if Bucharest will not withdraw its forces form Iraq.

The three journalists and the American translator were kidnapped near their house in Baghdad after they had an interview with Allawi on March 28th.