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Kidnap hope after Shia's handover Kidnap hope after Shia's handover
(11 minutes later)
An imprisoned militant whose release has been demanded by the kidnappers of five British hostages has been freed from US custody, officials have said.An imprisoned militant whose release has been demanded by the kidnappers of five British hostages has been freed from US custody, officials have said.
Shia leader Laith al-Khazali was handed over by the US military in Iraq to the Iraqi authorities on Sunday.Shia leader Laith al-Khazali was handed over by the US military in Iraq to the Iraqi authorities on Sunday.
The BBC's Frank Gardner said the move was "the most promising news" since the Britons were seized in 2007.The BBC's Frank Gardner said the move was "the most promising news" since the Britons were seized in 2007.
But British and US officials have stressed that the handover is not part of a prisoner exchange, he added.But British and US officials have stressed that the handover is not part of a prisoner exchange, he added.
The British embassy in Iraq said the handover was part of the generation reconciliation process with the group Asa'ib al-Haq or the Leagues of the Righteous.The British embassy in Iraq said the handover was part of the generation reconciliation process with the group Asa'ib al-Haq or the Leagues of the Righteous.
Members of another group, the Islamic Shia Resistance in Iraq, seized the British hostages - computer expert Peter Moore and his four bodyguards - in May 2007.Members of another group, the Islamic Shia Resistance in Iraq, seized the British hostages - computer expert Peter Moore and his four bodyguards - in May 2007.
Laith al-Khazali is one of several imprisoned militants whose freedom has long been demanded by the kidnappers and our correspondent said his transfer could pave the way for at least one of the Britons to be released.Laith al-Khazali is one of several imprisoned militants whose freedom has long been demanded by the kidnappers and our correspondent said his transfer could pave the way for at least one of the Britons to be released.
'Immediate release''Immediate release'
The men were seized when they were working in Baghdad's Iraqi Finance Ministry by gunmen disguised as police officers.The men were seized when they were working in Baghdad's Iraqi Finance Ministry by gunmen disguised as police officers.
Except for Mr Moore, who had been working for American management consultancy Bearingpoint, they have not been fully identified for security reasons.Except for Mr Moore, who had been working for American management consultancy Bearingpoint, they have not been fully identified for security reasons.
But their family and friends have made several public appeals for their return.But their family and friends have made several public appeals for their return.
Peter Moore seemed 'healthier' in the most recent video, his family said
Foreign Secretary David Miliband has also called for their "immediate and unconditional" release.Foreign Secretary David Miliband has also called for their "immediate and unconditional" release.
The kidnappers have released several videos of the captives, including one warning that a hostage would be killed unless British troops withdrew from Iraq.The kidnappers have released several videos of the captives, including one warning that a hostage would be killed unless British troops withdrew from Iraq.
In the latest footage, released in March, Mr Moore spoke in the plural which indicated the captives were being held together and not separately as had been previously thought by their relatives.In the latest footage, released in March, Mr Moore spoke in the plural which indicated the captives were being held together and not separately as had been previously thought by their relatives.
This also gave new hope to the mother of one of the kidnapped contractors who was last year reported to have committed suicide.This also gave new hope to the mother of one of the kidnapped contractors who was last year reported to have committed suicide.