A Paris newspaper editor said there had been positive movement in the effort to free two captive French journalists in Iraq, while a separate militant group said it had killed three Turkish captives.

HOPES grew last night for the release of two French journalists held hostage in Iraq, with France’s foreign minister saying he had received word that they were alive.

Hopes grew tonight for the release of two French journalists held hostage in Iraq, with France’s foreign minister saying he had received word that they were alive and one of their employers saying their kidnappers have handed them over to another group.