One the world's largest aid groups, Care International, has announced it is to stop working in Iraq in an effort to secure the release of an Irish woman being held by an Islamic group.
Last night, the Arabic television station Al-Jazeera television broadcast a new tape with Ms Margaret Hassan pleading for Care International to close its offices in Iraq.
She also appealed for the release of all female prisoners in Iraq and urged Britain to withdraw troops from Iraq.
"Care has closed down all operations in Iraq. Please release Mrs Hassan to her family and friends in Iraq," the charity said today.
Ms Hassan, who was born in Dublin but has been living in Iraq for over 30 years, was kidnapped on her way to work in Baghdad on October 19th, less than two weeks after British hostage Kenneth Bigley was beheaded.
Al-Jazeera broadcast a statement from the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, last week appealing for the release of Ms Hassan. The statement was shown hours after the station broadcast a video of a distressed Ms Hassan pleading for help from the British people to save her life. She also appealed to the British people to pressurise Mr Blair to withdraw troops from Iraq.
Ms Hassan was filmed begging for her life and breaking down in tears. Her captors have not yet identified themselves as a group or issued any demands separate from the video.