Families still hope for Iraq kidnap Britons
Relatives of five Britons held hostage in Iraq marking two years since they were kidnapped
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Thursday, 28, May 2009 04:18
Families and friends of the five British men being held hostage in Iraq are marking two years since they were kidnapped.
On the eve of the two-year anniversary, the UK government has insisted it is doing all it can to secure their release.
Lincoln IT consultant Peter Moore and four unnamed security guards hired to protect him were captured by armed militants at the ministry of finance in Baghdad on May 29th 2007.
Mr Moore has previously appeared in videos released by their captors, named as the Islamic Shia Resistance, saying they would be killed unless British troops withdrew from Iraq.
With the last UK combat troops leaving Iraq earlier this week, relatives of the five men retain hope they will be returned safe and well.
Mr Moore's stepmother Pauline Sweeney told the BBC he had looked "a lot, lot healthier" in the last hostage video released to Arabic broadcasters in March.
In a statement marking the two years since they were kidnapped, foreign secretary David Miliband acknowledge the hostages unimaginable ordeal and the anguish their families and friends would be feeling.
"We are totally committed to working for the safe release of the men," he said.
"There is a dedicated team from across government, including people on the ground in Baghdad, working tirelessly with the Iraqi authorities and coalition partners to help bring this about. We are grateful to [prime minister Nouri al-Maliki] and all our allies for their support and continue working with them and with anyone who may be able to help.
"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. Hostage-taking has no part in that future. We call on those holding all hostages to release them immediately and unconditionally and return them safely to their families where they belong."