Muslim rebels in Philippines consider releasing two foreign hostages
JOLO island, Philippines -- Muslim rebels said Wednesday they would
consider releasing two ailing hostages from among their 21 captives.
The news came after Libyan envoy Abdul Rajab Azzarouq requested
the release of the two captives during a meeting at the rebel camp.
Azzarouq is a former Libyan ambassador with close links to
Muslim leaders in the Philippines.
In apparent response to the gesture, Philippine troops
withdrew their cordon from around the rebel's mountain
stronghold.
Azzarouq said the rebels made no ransom demands as yet, but were
preparing to offer conditions for the release of the
hostages.
The rebels are members of Abu Sayyaf, the smaller of two
separatist groups in the southern Philippines. They abducted
the captives on April 23 from a dive resort on the Malaysian
island of Sipadan.
Rebel negotiators have rejected government spokesman,
Nur Misuari, their former leader, and have demanded
negotiations with ambassadors and representatives from
the United Nations, Islamic nations and the hostages' countries,
and with Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora.
Philippine President Joseph Estrada has been pressuring Muslim
rebel groups to negotiate peace or risk all-out war. Over the
last month, there has been a sharp escalation in fighting between
the government and the rebels. ---
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