Japan informed hostages will be released: FM

Japanese Freign Minister Yoriko Kawaguchi said on Arpil 11 that the government has been informed by "a number of sources" the three hostages in Iraq would be released.

Shinzo A be, secretary general of the Liberal Democratic Party said on a Fuji TV discussion program in the morning they are likely to be freed by noon.

Qatar-based Al-Jazeera TV channel reported Saturday the Iraqi militants who kidnapped the Japanese nationals would release them within 24 hours.

"They have decided to release them within 24 hours in response to a request from the Muslim Clerics Association," Al-Jazeera reported.

A statement issued by the militant group called Mujahedeen Brigades also urged the Japanese people to press on their government for the troop withdrawal from Iraq, according to the TV channel.

The group had threatened on a video aired Thursday by Al-Jazeera to kill the hostages if Japan does not put the Self-Defense troops out of Iraq within three days.

Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi rejected the demand on the grounds the troops are there to help the Iraqis instead of engaging.

Kawaguchi held separate telephone talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Farouq Al-Shara and Palestinian Authority's Foreign Affairs Minister Nabeel Shaath Saturday over the abduction, requesting their cooperation for the hostages' release, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.

Hideaki Domichi, who is in charge of Middle East affairs, also met with Arabic diplomatic Saturday seeking their help.

Source: Xinhua