LOC20:35
17:35 GMT
BAGHDAD, March 1 (KUNA) -- Deputy British Ambassador in Iraq John Tiknut on
saturday discussed with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani the fate of the five
British hostages who have been abducted in Iraq since last May.
A government statement said the two men discussed ways to release the five
Britons abducted in Basra where Tiknut urged President Talabani to make an
effort for their release.
Talabani expressed his solidarity and sympathy with the families of
abductees and expressed full readiness to make efforts to secure their release.
The statement did not reveal further details or actions taken by the
government to assist in the release of the hostages after the captors had
stipulated the release of nine detainees in Iraqi prisons before the Britons
are released.
Meanwhile, relatives of the abducted Britons had appealed yesterday for the
realese of their loved ones. (end)
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