Ironduke

Iraq kidnappers 'seeking money'

The Indian foreign minister says the kidnappers of seven foreign lorry drivers in Iraq appear to be motivated by money, not politics.
Natwar Singh said he was confident the three Indians, three Kenyans and an Egyptian would be released.

He said the kidnappers were "irresponsible persons who are doing it for monetary gains".

The hostages' captors have threatened to behead them unless their Kuwaiti employer pulls out of Iraq.

Messages purporting to come from the kidnappers - who call themselves the Holders of the Black Banners - have also demanded the payment of compensation to the families of Iraqis killed in Falluja and the release of all Iraqi detainees in Kuwaiti and American prisons.

"The information we have is that hopefully the crisis would be resolved," Mr Singh told the relatives of hostage Antaryami.

"We are working behind the scenes and we are hopeful that the crisis would be resolved peacefully."

The Indian deputy foreign minister has appeared on television networks in Iraq, Kuwait and Oman, appealing for the release of the seven hostages.

Meanwhile, two Pakistanis working for a Kuwaiti company in Iraq have gone missing, but it is not clear if they have been kidnapped, Pakistan's government said on Sunday.

Read more here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3923767.stm