Palestinian officials denounce kidnapping of journalists

PALESTINIAN officials yesterday denounced a militant group that has demanded the release of all Muslims imprisoned by the United States in exchange for two kidnapped Fox journalists.

Khaled Abu Hilal, a spokesman for the Hamas-controlled Interior Ministry, said the kidnapping of Fox correspondent Steve Centanni, of Washington, DC, and cameraman Olaf Wiig, of New Zealand, harmed Palestinian interests. “We were shocked at their demands because we don’t need a new door of hostility opened with the US,” he said.

The kidnappers released a video on Wednesday showing the two sitting cross-legged on the floor of a dark apartment. The journalists said they were being treated well and Mr Wiig called for those working on his behalf to exert pressure on the Palestinian authorities.