France solidarity with Italy after Iraq hostage-taking
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PARIS, Sept 8  - France said Wednesday it would stand side-by-side with Rome one day after two female Italian aid workers were kidnapped at gunpoint in Iraq.
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Militants released seven foreign hostages Wednesday after their employer paid &#36;500,000 ransom, while France mustered support from Muslims at home and abroad to push for the release of two French journalists still held captive in Iraq.
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The group holding the two French journalists hostage in Iraq have issued a scathing denunciation of France on its Web site, saying the country has a &quot;history of oppression and persecution of Muslims and Islam.
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A French Muslim delegation in Iraq says they have proof that two French hostages held by Islamic militants are alive, even though France
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Italy reacted with joy to the release  of two aid workers kidnapped in Iraq, but France's government  was cautious on Wednesday on a report that two captured French  journalists may also soon be freed.
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PARIS (France): France said on Sunday that it was more than ever mobilized after two French journalists were taken hostage in Iraq by militants demanding the rescinding of a ban on the Islamic headscarf in French schools.
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France remained hopeful on Sunday that two French hostages in Iraq would be freed and a religious fatwa issued in Iraq demanded their release.
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French President Jacques Chirac appealed for unity Tuesday, as a bungled attempt to rescue two French hostages in Iraq sparked a growing controversy that some fear could hurt efforts to get the men freed.
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France said on Saturday it hoped Islamic  militants were about to free two French hostages, but urged  caution as fresh violence erupted in Iraq.
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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.
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BAGHDAD : France held its breath for two of its reporters kidnapped in Iraq, while the war-torn country&#39;s ailing economy was dealt a massive blow after a key export pipeline suffered its biggest post-war attack.
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France said on Sunday two French reporters held hostage with their Syrian driver in Iraq were still alive a few days ago.
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An Italian envoy flew to the Middle East  on Thursday to urge freedom for two female Italian aid workers  held in Iraq as the French government and opposition showed  rare unity to appeal for the release of two Frenchmen.
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DUBAI/PARIS  - Hopes that Islamic militants will  soon free two French hostages in Iraq rose on Friday, despite  confusion over which group is now holding them.
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France has vowed not to give in to the demands of terrorists who are holding two French journalists in Iraq. Militants calling themselves the Islamic Army in Iraq have said that they will release Georges Malbrunot
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As France awaits word on two journalists being held hostage in Iraq, officials have made it clear that they expect to benefit from their stand against the US-led invasion and occupation.
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France said on Monday there were  indications that two French hostages held in Iraq will be freed  and a Muslim negotiator said talks over their release were in  the "delivery phase."