Lebanese hostages in Iraq plead for freedom - TV
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-01-04 08:58

Two Lebanese businessmen kidnapped in Iraq urged their government in a video aired by Dubai television on Monday to free them from their captors.

Dubai television said it had obtained the video from a hitherto unheard of group calling itself the Musab bin Omayr Group for Islamic Holy War, which claimed to have kidnapped Hassan Haider and Ghazi Haider on Wednesday.

"We urge the Lebanese government and embassy in Baghdad to step in and end this crisis," said one man who identified himself as Hassan. "I'm being treated very, very well by my captors," said a man who identified himself as Ghazi.

The video showed the two men appearing to be in good health and wearing training suits as they sat on the ground with the group's banner behind them. A voice could be heard in the background telling them what to say.

It is not clear if the two men, seized by armed men who burst into their home on Wednesday, were related.

Lebanon's Foreign Ministry has said its consulate in Baghdad was pursuing the matter with Iraq's foreign, interior and defence ministries.

Militants have taken scores of hostages in Iraq, including several Lebanese. Most have been freed but some, including one Lebanese, have been killed.

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