Bigley: 'Iraq will mediate'

2004-10-02 22:31

London - An Iraqi militant group is expected to negotiate for the release of British hostage Kenneth Bigley, who was seized by Islamic fundamentalists in Baghdad two weeks ago, a Kuwaiti newspaper reported on Saturday.

"There is almost assured information about the involvement of an Iraqi Jihadi group in the mediation and negotiations with Tawhid and Jihad to release the abducted British," Kuwait's Al-Rai al-Aam newspaper quoted "reliable Islamist sources" as saying in Iraq.

Bigley, an engineer, was kidnapped two weeks ago in Baghdad along with two American colleagues who have since been beheaded.

The Tawhid and Jihad group, controlled by Jordanian terror mastermind Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, says it is holding Bigley and has demanded the release of female prisoners in Iraq.

The newspaper quoted the sources as saying Zarqawi did not intend to "get rid of" Bigley, but wanted to use him for financial gain and to embarrass British Prime Minister Tony Blair "for not being able to protect" British civilians in Iraq.

The newspaper suggested Zarqawi's group may demand a financial ransom for Bigley, but provided no further details.

The newspaper earlier this week accurately predicted the release of two Italian hostages.

Bigley's brother Paul said he was aware of the report.

"If this is the case we will have to buy him back, it is as simple as that," he said.

- AP