UK PM Gordon Brown Demands Iraq Hostages' Release

United Kingdom Prime Minister Gordon Brown Demands Iraq Hostages' Release

20 July 2008 - Gordon Brown has said the Government would do "everything in our power" to secure the release of British hostages being held in Iraq.

A video message claiming that one of the men had committed suicide was condemned as "abhorrent" by the Prime Minister, who called for their immediate and unconditional release.

Speaking during a visit in Israel, Mr Brown said:

"This abhorrent film will only add to the anguish of families who have suffered a great deal over a year for their loved ones who have been kept in captivity. I call on the hostage takers to release these people who have been held in captivity immediately.

"I will work with the Iraqi government, as I said to Prime Minister Maliki yesterday, to secure their release, and we will do everything in our power to work with everyone who is in a position to help us release these hostages. These men have suffered enough."

The five men - an IT consultant named Peter Moore and four bodyguards whose identities have not been confirmed - were seized in May last year from the Iraqi finance ministry by a Shi'ite group who are demanding the release of nine prisoners detained by UK forces in southern Iraq.

ENDS

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