Fears grow for safety of Irish hostage in Iraq

THE international campaign to free abducted Irish aid worker Margaret Hassan gained pace yesterday as fears grew for her safety against the background of puzzling silence from her kidnappers.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern and his Palestinian counterpart, Dr Nabil Shaath, issued a joint statement in English and Arabic last night calling for Mrs Hassan’s safe return.

Diplomats in Jordan, Egypt and the Arab League were also put on the case while the Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said he was willing to enter talks with whichever gang or group was holding her, although he ruled out paying money or standing down troops in exchange for her release.