Glimmer of hope for hostages

Published on Thursday 28 May 2009 22:03

FIVE hostages, including two Scots, being held in Iraq could be released shortly if the UK government takes a more proactive approach to securing their freedom, it was claimed yesterday.

Iraqi national security adviser Mowaffak al-Ribaie said he had proof that "some" of the hostages were still alive and added: "I think it's very possible to get them back to their loved ones if the western governments work hard to ensure their release."

The five men – IT consultant Peter Moore and four bodyguards, two of whom are known only as Alan, who has a wife and two children and is from Dumbarton, and Jason, from Aberdeen – were snatched two years ago today by 40 armed men in Baghdad. There had been unconfirmed reports that one of the men had committed suicide.

Yesterday, their families spoke of their hopes of seeing their release while Foreign Secretary David Miliband demanded that they be freed "immediately and unconditionally".

The case has been largely cloaked in secrecy to prevent endangering the men.

Former hostage Terry Waite urged the men and their families to "keep hope alive" about their release.

Amid hopes that the withdrawal of British troops from Iraq could prove instrumental, Mr Miliband said: "The Iraq of today is a different place to that of two years ago. There are signs of progress and reconciliation as the Iraqi people show their commitment to a democratic and peaceful future."