France strives to free hostages
444816
Diplomatic efforts mount as a deadline nears for two French journalists held hostage in Iraq.
314638
The French leader urges hostage-takers in Iraq to free two journalists - 100 days after they were taken.
242424
PARIS, Sep 8  (IPS) - The two French journalists kidnapped in Iraq more  than three weeks back are still in  captivity despite efforts by  French and Iraqi leaders to secure their freedom.
584109
Jordan pledged Tuesday to help France secure the release of two journalists held hostage in Iraq, who are facing the imminent expiry of an ultimatum by their Islamic kidnappers.
673013
France has vowed not to yield to Iraqi kidnappers who have taken two journalists hostage and are demanding the repeal of a law that bans the Islamic headscarf in state schools.
205462
The French Foreign Minister has called for the release of two French journalists being held hostage by Islamist kidnappers in Iraq.
518168
France pressed on with efforts to save two French journalists held hostage in Iraq on Thursday after a deadline to rescind a law banning Muslim headscarves in state schools passed without word from the kidnappers.
253644
Signs suggest hope for a possible release of the two French journalists held hostage in Iraq, Interior Minister Dominique de Villepin said Saturday.
651550
A negotiator trying to secure the release of the two French journalists being held hostage in Iraq has said he is with them and they could be free &quot;within hours&quot;.
682003
France intensified efforts Tuesday to save the lives of two journalists held hostage in Iraq, and the Arab League said the militants' deadline for France to revoke a ban on Islamic headscarves in schools had been extended.
284139
Hopes that Islamic militants will soon free two French hostages in Iraq rose on Friday, despite confusion over which group is now holding them.
594815
French President Jacques Chirac has made new pleas for the freedom of two hostages on the 100th day of their captivity in Iraq. Chirac appealed to the captors to choose &quot;the
613595
Determined to save two journalists kidnapped in Iraq, France has frantically called on Arab leaders and Muslim imams and set in motion a swell of solidarity unseen in previous hostage dramas.
182442
PARIS : The captors of two French journalists allegedly put forward new demands for their release, but French officials cast doubt on the authenticity of the demands and remained cautiously optimistic about securing their release.
400992
PARIS - President Jacques Chirac vowed Sunday to spare no effort to free two French journalists held hostage in Iraq by militants reportedly demanding that France revoke its law banning Islamic head scarves in schools.   "The whole nation is gathered together because what's at stake is the lives of two French people, the defense of freedom of expression, and also the values of our Republic," Chirac said in a televised address...
359172
French President Jacques Chirac said there was &quot;no reason&quot; to give up hope that two French journalists held hostage in Iraq since August will be released.
322630
PARIS: France has pledged not to yield to Iraqi kidnappers who have taken two journalists hostage and are demanding the repeal of a law banning Islamic headscarves in state schools.