Hopes for the release soon of the hostage Mr Kenneth Bigley have been dampened due to obstacles over a ransom, according to the editor of a Kuwaiti newspaper.
Mr Jassim Boodai, editor-in-chief of leading daily al-Rai al-Aam, said Mr Bigley could be handed over by his Iraq captors within one week to a new group, which would then free him.
"The sources expect that the issue could be resolved within a week or 10 days, barring any unforeseen developments," Mr Boodai told reporters in an interview yesterday.
Mr Boodai's newspaper, quoting the same sources, last week predicted the release of two Italian hostages for a large ransom. The women were subsequently freed and returned to Italy.
It was reported earlier this week that the same group that held the Italians was involved in talks for Mr Bigley's release and that Mr Bigley's release may centre on a ransom.
However, Mr Boodai yesterday quoted the sources close to Iraq Islamists as saying the Tawhid and Jihad faction holding Bigley has not handed him over yet to the other Iraqi insurgent group.
"As of tonight Bigley is still with the Zarqawi group," Mr Boodai said, referring to al Qaeda ally Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who heads Tawhid and Jihad.
"The group negotiating for his release has not gained custody of him yet, but the negotiations have begun."