French minister unable to confirm accord on hostages held in Iraq

0 Comments | AFP, September, 2004

PARIS (AFP) — French Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin said he was unable to confirm the authenticity of a statement attributed to the Islamic army in Iraq saying it was releasing two French hostages on condition they cover the activities of the resistance.

The statement which was received Saturday in an e-mail by the London-based Islamic Observatory, said the army had "ended the detention of the two French hostages -- who are now carrying out their work under an agreement" with their kidnappers.

"I am unable to confirm at this point in time the authenticity" of the statement, de Villepin said on Europe 1 radio.

"They are hostages and they are in the hands of their kidnappers, whatever any statements say, that is the reality," he said.

But he...