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Aid Group Appeals Again For Release Of Iraqi Hostage


3 November 2004 -- The aid agency CARE has made a new appeal for militants in Iraq to free Margaret Hassan, the kidnapped head of the group's operations in Iraq.

CARE's Australian branch, which formally employs Hassan, said her colleagues were profoundly distressed about her condition following the release of a video in which Hassan is threatened by her captors.

Al-Jazeera television reported that Hassan's kidnappers have threatened to turn her over to Al-Qaeda-linked militants led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi -- known for beheading hostages -- unless Britain agrees within 48 hours to pull its troops out of Iraq.

Britain has not made any comment on the demand. Al-Jazeera broadcast only a portion of the new video. Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern told the Irish Parliament that other parts of the video contain "disturbing" footage of Hassan, which includes her fainting after being threatened.

(Reuters/AP/AFP)

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