IRELAND/IRAQ: The Sinn Féin president has appealed for the safe release of Mr Ken Bigley, the British hostage in Iraq.
Mr Gerry Adams said the kidnappers' cause would be better served if they released the 62-year-old engineer.
He made his call on the Arabic satellite news service Al-Jazeera yesterday following a request by campaigners for Mr Bigley's safe release.
Mr Adams said: "I was approached by campaigners seeking the release of Ken Bigley. I spoke yesterday to Paul, Ken's brother."
Other Irish representatives, including the former SDLP leader, Mr John Hume, and the former minister, Mr Michael D. Higgins have also been involved in appeals for Mr Bigley's release.
The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, has also called for Mr Bigley to be freed. Sinn Féin has lobbied both Jordan and the Palestinian Authority on Mr Bigley's behalf. Mr Bigley was taken hostage earlier this month along with two US citizens.