Iraqi state TV broadcasts appeals for hostage's release

Iraq’s state television has begun broadcasting appeals for the release of kidnapped American journalist Jill Carroll including footage of her mother and a major Sunni Arab politician describing the 28-year-old freelancer as a friend of Iraq.

Carroll, who reported from Iraq for the Christian Science Monitor, was kidnapped on January 7 in Baghdad while on her way from the office of Sunni politician Adnan al-Dulaimi.

The one-minute long television appeal begins with two photographs of a smiling Carroll appearing on the screen. “The kidnapped journalist Jill Carroll loves Iraq and she now needs your help,” a male narrator says. “It’s time for Jill Carroll to go home safely.” The appeal later shows archival footage of al-Dulaimi addressing a news conference. She is a woman who struggled for the sake of Iraq, defended Iraq and Iraqis,” he said.

Carroll’s kidnappers have set a new deadline of February 26 for their demands to be met or they would kill her, according to the owner of a Kuwaiti TV station that aired the latest videotape of her on Friday.