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Shia militant al-Khazali released Kidnap hope after militant freed
(10 minutes later)
An imprisoned militant whose release has been demanded by the kidnappers of five British hostages has been freed, US and UK officials have said.An imprisoned militant whose release has been demanded by the kidnappers of five British hostages has been freed, US and UK officials have said.
Leading Shia leader Laith al-Khazali was released from US military custody in Iraq on Sunday. Shia leader Laith al-Khazali was released from US military custody in Iraq on Sunday.
The BBC's Frank Gardner said the move was not a prisoner exchange but part of Iraq's wider political reconciliation. The BBC's Frank Gardner said the move was "the most promising news" since the Britons were seized in 2007.
It could pave the way for the Shia group to join the political process and release the seized Britons, he added. It could pave the way for al-Khazali's Shia group to join the political process and release the men, he added.