Philippine gov't recalls head of troops in Iraq

The Philippine government said it would withdraw the head of its contingent forces in Iraq along with 10 other members Friday as part of efforts to save the Filipino held hostage by Iraqi militants.

Foreign Secretary Delia Albert said in a television statement that "The rest of the members of the contingent will be out of Iraq shortly".

Efforts are underway to secure the safe release of the kidnapped Filipino trunk driver, Angelo de la Cruz, and the government is "grateful to all those who are working with us to help reunite Angelo with his wife and eight children," she added.

De la Cruz said that he would be returning home and thanked the Philippine government for its decision to withdraw its 51-strong forces from Iraq, according to a video on Arabic television channel Al-Jazeera broadcast on Thursday.