Iraq: No news on hostages' fate
2005-12-11 15:14
London - Defence secretary John Reid said on Sunday that British authorities had received no new information on the fate of a British peace activist and three colleagues held hostage in Iraq.
The previously unknown Swords of Righteousness Brigade seized 74-year-old Norman Kember and three other activists from Christian Peacemaker Teams - Canadians James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32; and American Tom Fox, 54 - two weeks ago.
The kidnappers threatened to kill the men unless US and Iraqi authorities released all prisoners.
The group had set Thursday as a deadline, but extended it until Saturday.
Iraq's interior ministry said it had no information about the hostages, and there was no sign that emissaries sent from Canada and Britain had managed to establish contact with the kidnappers.
Reid told Sky News television that officials were doing "everything possible to try and make sure his life is saved and that of his colleagues is protected".
"But we have no further indication of any movement as of this morning," he said.
- AP