Philippine government pleads for hostage's life

The Philippine government made a direct appeal early today to insurgents holding a Filipino hostage, pleading with them to show mercy for the man they pledged to kill if the country did not agree to pull its troops from Iraq early.

The appeal came hours after Iraq’s interim president lashed out at guerrillas who have killed hundreds of Iraqis in recent months and promised to use a “very sharp sword” against anyone threatening Iraq’s security.