Italian PM thanks Jordan's efforts for release of Italian hostages

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi met Tuesday with Jordan's King Abdullah II, thanking him for his efforts to secure the release of two Italian women aidworkers kidnapped in Iraq, local media reported Tuesday.

Berlusconi's talks with the king focused mainly on the situation in Iraq and the battle against terrorism as well as waysof reviving the stalled Middle East peace process, the report said.

"We have been working with the Italian government ever since they were kidnapped. With the help of intelligence services, we are trying to locate them and are using all our contacts with leaders and groups inside Iraq to obtain their release," Abdullah II, who is currently on a visit to Italy, said in a interview withItalian daily Corriere Sera on the eve of the visit.

"We will do everything possible for the two girls. I hope and pray to have good news by Tuesday," the king told the daily.

Simona Torretta and Simona Pari, both 29, were kidnapped on September 7 along with two Iraqi aid workers.

Source: Xinhua